Ecology Part 1

Ecology is the study of how living things interact with living things in their environment in various ways.

Box 2 What is the study of how living things interact?

Abiotic and Biotic Factors Abiotic Factor: Non-living components of an ecosystem. Examples: Rocks, sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water. Biotic Factor: Living components of the environment; Examples: Grass, animals, plants, algae, bacteria…

Name the biotic and abiotic factors of the ecosystem.

Box 3 Name 2 biotic and 2 abiotic factors shown in the picture.

6 non-living factors of an ecosystem: Atmosphere Climate Soil Temperature Sunlight Water

Box 4 Give 3 non-living components of an ecosystem.

Box 5 List 3 biotic factors found in your home environment. Box 6 Give 3 abiotic factors found in the classroom.

1. Atmosphere Provides breathable oxygen and carbon dioxide for animals and plants to use. It also protects organisms from harmful UV radiation.

2. Climate Weather conditions over time. Influences where certain organisms can live. Each organism’s environment influences what it eats, where it lives, and what its camouflage is.

3. Soil The top layer of Earth, consisting of rock and minerals Provides nutrients for plants and animals.

4. Temperature Measure of warmth or cold. Determines an organism’s survival rate, it’s food sources, and what type of camo/coverings it needs to stay warm or cool.

5. Sunlight All organisms get their energy from the sun. Provides an energy source to plants for the use in photosynthesis. Provides a source of heat for animals that cannot thermoregulate their body temperature. Ex: Turtles

6. Water All living things need water to survive. This includes plants and animals!

Box 7 Write 1 sentence, using at least 3 words from the word bank, to summarize today’s lesson. Box 8 Write 1 question you have about today’s lesson.

The Earth has four major spheres…the geosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere. Water, nitrogen, and carbon move through all of theses spheres in a continuous cycle.

Box 2 Name the 4 -spheres of the Earth.

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The Carbon Cycle A biogeochemical cycle where carbon is exchanged between the biosphere, geosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere of the Earth. All living things are made of carbon. Carbon is also a part of the ocean, air, and even rocks. The total amount of carbon stays the same, it simply moves from one form to another.

Box 3 Why does nitrogen need to be fixed?

The Carbon Cycle

Box 4 What element is found in all living things?

The Nitrogen Cycle The process where nitrogen is converted between various chemical forms. The total amount of nitrogen stays the same, it simply moves from one form to another. The majority of Earth's atmosphere (78%) is nitrogen. Important processes in the nitrogen cycle include fixation, ammonification, nitrification, and denitrification.

Box 5 Why does nitrogen in the atmosphere need to be fixed?

The nitrogen Cycle

The Water Cycle Water moves continuously through ecosystems. As it changes forms it is recycled and use over and over again. The circulation of Earth’s water from the atmosphere as water vapor, precipitates to earth in liquid or solid form, and ultimately returns to the atmosphere through evaporation.

Oxygen cycle Plants produce oxygen as a by-product of photosynthesis. This oxygen is used by animals. The animals then produce carbon dioxide.

Producers (Autotrophs) Organisms that make their own food from sunlight (Example: Plants).

Consumers (Heterotrophs) Organisms that rely on an external food source from their environment. Includes herbivores, carnivores, and omnivores.

Decomposer (detritivores) Breaks down food from dead organisms and waste materials

Box 6 What is another word for: Producer- Consumer- Decomposer-

Omnivores Consume plants and animals! YOU!!!!

Carnivores Consume meat!

Herbivores Consume plants!

Box 7 Name 3 types of consumers.

Box 8 What do you still have questions about this week’s lessons?

Energy Pyramids Represents the flow of energy available to producers and consumers in an ecosystem. The bottom of the pyramid has the most available energy and the energy decreases as you travel up the pyramid. ( Each level only passes on 10% to the next level above it.) All energy is cycled between the living and nonliving parts of the ecosystem.

Energy Pyramids- cont. Food is broken down into smaller micro-nutrients as the food is passed from one trophic level to the next. All energy in an ecosystem comes from the sun. Foods contain molecules that have chemical energy in the form of chemical bonds (sugars, carbs, etc) The calorie is just how much energy is stored in a food item.

Tertiary Consumer Secondary Consumer Primary Consumer Producer

Food Chains A series of events in which one organisms eats another and obtains energy. Energy flows in a cycle. It is never created nor destroyed!

Food Web An overlapping food chain in an ecosystem.

Photosynthesis A chemical reaction where plants convert water, carbon dioxide, and energy from the sun into a usable energy source (Glucose) and released oxygen into the atmosphere.

Draw This!

Cellular Respiration Process by which an organism takes in oxygen and glucose, converts it to a usable energy source (ATP), and releases carbon dioxide and water. This helps organisms gain a usable form of energy to fuel cell processes. Plants and animals do this!

Draw this!