Introduction to Biology and the Study of Life

What is Biology? Biology is the study of organisms. Biology is the study of organisms. Bio – life ology – study of Organism:

We call these different fields of Biological study, Branches__ of Biology. –Zoology: study of animals –Microbiology: study of microorganisms –Botany: study of plants –Ornithology: study of birds –Ichthyology: study of fish –Herpetology: study of reptiles and amphibians –Virology: study of viruses –Entomology: study of insects –Mycology: study of fungi

Part 1: What is Ecology?

What is Ecology? Ecology is the study of how organisms interact with each other and how they interact with their environment. Ecology is the study of how organisms interact with each other and how they interact with their environment.

What is Ecology? Ecology is the study of how organisms interact with each other and how they interact with their environment. Ecology is the study of how organisms interact with each other and how they interact with their environment. An organisms environment is all the non- living and living things that make-up it’s surroundings. An organisms environment is all the non- living and living things that make-up it’s surroundings.

The Environment Abiotic Factors: Abiotic Factors: –Non-living factors  A - not  Biotic – living Examples: Examples: Biotic Factors: Biotic Factors: –Living factors Examples: Examples:

The Environment Abiotic Factors: Abiotic Factors: –Non-living factors Examples: Examples: –Rock –Soil –Temperature –Weather –Wind –Sunlight Biotic Factors: Biotic Factors: –Living factors Examples: Examples: –organisms

Part 2: Ecological Levels of Organization

Ecological Levels of Organization Brainstorm: Why have ecologists organized the study of ecology into levels? Brainstorm: Why have ecologists organized the study of ecology into levels?

Why have ecologists organized the study of ecology into levels? Why have ecologists organized the study of ecology into levels? Organization allows for: Organization allows for: –A better understanding of the material. Ecological Levels of Organization

Why have ecologists organized the study of ecology into levels? Why have ecologists organized the study of ecology into levels? Organization allows for: Organization allows for: –A better understanding of the material. –Quick and easy access to information. Ecological Levels of Organization

Most Specific Organism 

Ecological Levels of Organization Organism  Species 

Ecological Levels of Organization Organism  Species  Population 

Ecological Levels of Organization Organism  Species  Population  Community 

Ecological Levels of Organization Organism  Species  Population  Community  Ecosystem

Ecological Levels of Organization Organism  Species  Population  most inclusive Community  Ecosystem  Biome

specific 1. Organism: A living thing Ecological Levels of Organization

1. Organism: A living thing 2. Species: A group of organisms that are so similar to one another, they can breed/reproduce and have fertile offspring, offspring that can also reproduce and have offspring. Ecological Levels of Organization

1. Organism: A living thing 2. Species: A group of organisms that are so similar to one another, they can breed/reproduce and have fertile offspring, offspring that can also reproduce and have offspring. 3. Population: A species, or group of similar organisms, that live in the same area at the same point in time. Ecological Levels of Organization

1. Organism: A living thing 2. Species: A group of organisms that are so similar to one another, they can breed/reproduce and have fertile offspring, offspring that can also reproduce and have offspring. 3. Population: A species, or group of similar organisms, that live in the same area at the same point in time. 4. Community: A group of different populations that live in a defined area. Ecological Levels of Organization

1. Organism: A living thing 2. Species: A group of organisms that are so similar to one another, they can breed/reproduce and have fertile offspring, offspring that can also reproduce and have offspring. 3. Population: A species, or group of similar organisms, that live in the same area at the same point in time. 4. Community: A group of different populations that live in a defined area. 5. Ecosystem: The collection of communities, or all the living/BIOTIC factors, and nonliving/ABIOTIC factors in a defined area. Ecological Levels of Organization

1. Organism: A living thing 2. Species: A group of organisms that are so similar to one another, they can breed/reproduce and have fertile offspring, offspring that can also reproduce and have offspring. 3. Population: A species, or group of similar organisms, that live in the same area at the same point in time. 4. Community: A group of different populations that live in a defined area. 5. Ecosystem: The collection of communities, or all the living/BIOTIC factors, and nonliving/ABIOTIC factors in a defined area. general / most inclusive 6. Biome: A group of ecosystems with the same type of climate and organisms. Ecological Levels of Organization

Ecology Term Practice The Appalachian Trail (AT) is the longest hiking trail in the nation. It is approximately 2,178 miles long and on average takes three months to hike. One end of the Appalachian Trail is located in Northeastern Georgia just seven miles away from the city of Atlanta, while the other end is located in Maine. While hiking the AT, it is common for hikers to come across mountain lions, bob cats, squirrels, cottontail deer, and even black bear. The Eastern Gray Squirrel can be a source of food for mountain lions and bob cats. The Gray Squirrel usually makes its home in oak trees. It lives in the holes drilled by woodpeckers. It spends most of its time finding and burying nuts, as its main source of food is hickory nuts, acorns, and/or walnuts. Depending on the time of year, hikers may experience heavy rain or even snow. Many hikers will tell you the trail is a formidable opponent, because of its steep rocky climbs and slippery muddy terrain after a heavy rain. The Appalachian Trail (AT) is the longest hiking trail in the nation. It is approximately 2,178 miles long and on average takes three months to hike. One end of the Appalachian Trail is located in Northeastern Georgia just seven miles away from the city of Atlanta, while the other end is located in Maine. While hiking the AT, it is common for hikers to come across mountain lions, bob cats, squirrels, cottontail deer, and even black bear. The Eastern Gray Squirrel can be a source of food for mountain lions and bob cats. The Gray Squirrel usually makes its home in oak trees. It lives in the holes drilled by woodpeckers. It spends most of its time finding and burying nuts, as its main source of food is hickory nuts, acorns, and/or walnuts. Depending on the time of year, hikers may experience heavy rain or even snow. Many hikers will tell you the trail is a formidable opponent, because of its steep rocky climbs and slippery muddy terrain after a heavy rain.

Ecology Term Practice Organism: Organism: Species: Species: Populations: Populations: Community: Community: Ecosystem: Ecosystem: