All images are a part of the Creative Commons license of free use

Ecology The study of the relationship between organisms and their environment All images are a part of the Creative Commons license of free use

Environmental Factors Biotic: are living or were once living Abiotic: never living All images are a part of the Creative Commons license of free use

Biotic or Abiotic? 1. Bacteria 2. Dead fish 3. Heat 4. Zooplankton 5. Carrots 6. Energy 7. Corn 8. Rat 9. Photosynthesis 10. Rock 11. Phytoplankton 12. Nitrogen 13. Temperature 14. Dead flowers 15. Hamburger 16. Sunshine

Symbiotic Relationships Commensalism: One species benefits, one is unharmed Mutualism: both species benefit Parasitism: one species benefits, one is harmed or dies Parasite feeds on host Host: where Parasite lives All images are a part of the Creative Commons license of free use

Examples of Symbiotic Relationships Example 1: A bird builds its nest in a tree. The tree offers protection and support for the nest. The nest causes no harm to the tree. Example 2: A mosquito bites you. The mosquito gets nutrients from you. Your mosquito bite itches.

Examples of Symbiotic Relationships Example 3: A harmless bacteria lives in human intestine. The bacteria produces vitamin B-12 for the human. The human provides and place to live and food to eat. Example 4: Max, a Rottweiler, is infested with fleas. The fleas feed on Max. This makes Max sad.

Examples of Symbiotic Relationships Mutualism Commensalism Parasitism Commensalism All images are a part of the Creative Commons license of free use

Examples of Symbiotic Relationships MutualismParasitism Commensalism Mutualism All images are a part of the Creative Commons license of free use

Producer Performs photosynthesis 6CO 2 + 6H 2 O + sunlight → 6O 2 + C 6 H 12 O 6 Sun is the source of all energy Example: Phytoplankton (drifting producer) All images are a part of the Creative Commons license of free use

Consumer Performs respiration 6O 2 + C 6 H 12 O 6 → 6CO 2 + 6H 2 O + energy Example: Zooplankton (drifting consumer) All images are a part of the Creative Commons license of free use

Types of Consumers Carnivore: eats only meat Herbivore: eats only plants Omnivore: eats both plants and meat Predator – hunts prey [ is a Carnivore] Prey – hunted for food [is an Herbivore or Carnivore] NOTE: Vegetarians are omnivores, not herbivores. (Vegetarians choose to not eat meat, herbivores cannot digest meat)

Examples of Consumers Predator: hunts prey Scavenger: feeds on already dead animals All images are a part of the Creative Commons license of free use

Predator Prey Relationships Predator: hunts other consumers for food Prey – hunted and eaten by predators This relationship is important b/c it keeps animal populations in an area at a healthy level; decreases overpopulation. All images are a part of the Creative Commons license of free use

Decomposer Breaks down dead organisms Bacteria and Fungi All images are a part of the Creative Commons license of free use

Food Chain A series of producers and consumers – step by step up the food pyramid All images are a part of the Creative Commons license of free use

Food Web Numerous inter- connected food chains in a biome All images are a part of the Creative Commons license of free use