Environmental Science Chapter 4: The Organization of Life Mr. Manskopf Notes also available at http://www.manskopf.com

The Organization Of Life Big Ideas In an ecosystem, the biotic and abiotic components interact to form an interconnected system. Species adapt to their environment through a long process of evolution and natural selection. Humans classify the diversity of life on Earth in order to better understand their relationships.

Section 1: Ecosystems: Everything is Connected GOALS Distinguish between biotic and abiotic factors in an ecosystem Describe how a population, community differ from a species Explain the importance of habitats

What is an ecosystem?

Defining an ecosystem Ecosystem: all the organisms living in an area together Forest Ecosystem Pond Ecosystem Vacant Lot Ecosystem Desert Ecosystem

All Ecosystems are connected How does your ecosystem impact the Atlantic Ocean?

Parts of an ecosystem

Parts of an ecosystem In order for an ecosystem to survive there must be certain basic parts Energy Mineral nutrients Carbon dioxide Water Oxygen and more

What are some parts of this ecosystem?

Biotic vs. Abiotic Biotic: living parts of the ecosystem Plants, animals, bacteria, etc. Abiotic: nonliving parts of the ecosystem Sunlight, soil, air, temperature

What are some biotic AND abiotic parts of this ecosystem?

Organizing Biotic Parts

Smallest Unit Organism: an individual living thing like you, a tree, a fox, a rose Species are groups of organisms like red foxes or black widow spiders, or grizzly bears

Population Population: all the members of the same species that live in the same place at the same time Field mice living in a corn field, grizzly bears of Yellowstone Park area

Community Community: a group of various species that live in the same place and interact with each other. Pond Community Pineland Forest

Habitat Habitat: a place where an organism lives Organisms are well suited for their habitat

Section 1 Review Distinguish between biotic and abiotic factors in an ecosystem Describe how a population, community differ from a species Explain the importance of habitats

Section 2: Evolution GOALS Explain the process of evolution by natural selection. What is adaptation? What is artificial selection? How is it possible that organisms become resistant?

Big ears of desert jack rabbit allow it to cool off quickly White coat of polar bear helps in hunting Big ears of desert jack rabbit allow it to cool off quickly Long neck of giraffe allow it to reach food

Natural Selection Natural Selection: survival and reproduction of organisms with particular traits Survival of fittest Certain traits are more likely to survive

The fastest bird with biggest wings will eat more and is more likely to survive and reproduce. The insect that blends in and is able to survive may be more likely to reproduce.

Evolution Evolution: change in the genetic characteristics of a population from one generation to the next Slowly nature selects the genes that survive best in each ecosystem

Adaptation: an inherited trait that increases an organisms chance of survival and reproduction.

Desert plants have small or no leaves at all Llamas have adapted to live at high altitude

Artificial Selection Artificial Selection: selective breeding of organisms by humans Selecting certain desirable traits Size, sweetness, color, shape, Very common

Selecting desirable traits and breeding only those with those traits.

Impacts of Evolution: Resistance

Resistance Resistance: the ability of one or more organisms to tolerate a chemical designed to kill it Able to survive and reproduce Pesticide resistance Antibiotic resistance

Why is this a problem?

Section 2 Review Explain the process of evolution by natural selection. What is adaptation? What is artificial selection? How is it possible that organisms become resistant?

Section 3 Use your book to list the six Kingdoms of Life and give several examples. Use pages 108-113.