Organisms and Their Environment Ecology Organisms and Their Environment

Ecology Ecology is the study of _________ and how they interact with their ________________. An _______________ consists of all the living and ___-_________ things in a given area that _____________ with one another.

Some Vocabulary _____________: many different types of organisms living together in an ecosystem _____________: a particular species within a community (they are similar and can reproduce) _____________: The place in which an organism lives

Food and Energy ____________ are the plants that take energy from the Sun and turn it into food. ____________ get their food by eating plants or organisms that eat plants. _______________ get their energy by breaking down dead organisms into simpler substances.

GrassAntelope Lion Bacteria Chains and Webs ________ ___________ are strings of organisms that link up together by what they eat GrassAntelope Lion Bacteria When food chains overlap they are referred to as ________ _______ (It’s never as simple as the example above because there are more producers-consumers-and decomposers involved)

The Battle Begins Organisms ________ for their __________ They compete with members of their own _______________ They compete with other species for _______, ________, and even things like ___________ They even compete for _________ and the resources needed for __________________

How might it benefit a species to be hunted by predators? Predation A __________ is any organism that kills and eats another organism The _______ is the organisms that are killed and eaten How might it benefit a species to be hunted by predators?

Organisms in a close relationship that benefits at least one of them Symbiosis Organisms in a close relationship that benefits at least one of them _______________ – One organism benefits and the other is not affected _______________ – Both organisms benefit from the relationship _______________ – One organism benefits and one is harmed by the relationship

Adapting to the Environment ____________: Evolutionary or behavioral changes that make organisms better suited to their environment _________________: Individuals best suited to the environment survive and flourish to successfully reproduce

What are some Adaptations? How have organisms adapted to their climate? To predators? To Competition?