Chapter 7 – Ecosystems Study Guide 6 th Grade Science Mr. Houck

Symbiotic Relationships - Symbiosis  a close, long term relationship between organisms that benefits at least one of them  Parasite - organism that benefits Host - organism that is harmed

Symbiosis – 3 Types  Parasitism - one benefits and one is harmed  Mutualism - both benefit  Commensalism - one benefits the other does not and is not harmed

Competition  the struggle among organisms to survive in a habitat with limited resources

Decomposers  get energy by breaking down the remains of dead organisms

Adaptations  helps an organism survive and reproduce in different environments 1. Why do they occur? Survival 2. What would happen if a species couldn't adapt? May become extinct 3. What adaptations would work best for prey? Blending in (camouflage)

Food Chain vs. Food Web  Relationship – many food chains make up a food web  Difference – Chain is one possible path of how an organism gets energy. Web is multiple chains and paths of all organisms in an ecosystem.

Energy Pyramid  shows how energy moves in an ecosystem  Why does the energy decrease as you move up? Energy is used by organisms at each level so it decreases along the way.

Nitrogen Cycle  Where do plants get Nitrogen? From the ground and roots  Where do animals get Nitrogen? from eating plants

Carbon Cycle  decomposition, respiration, photosynthesis, and burning of fossil fuels  What's the importance of photosynthesis and respiration in the cycle? Photosynthesis processes carbon dioxide into oxygen for animals

Open-Ended Questions Name the 3 types of adaptations and provide examples of each. 1. Structure – webbed feet, backbones, color, spots, big ears 2. Behaviors – caring for young, building nests, migrating 3. Processes – Photosynthesis, Hibernation

Open-Ended Questions What is the benefit of a forest fire for the new growth? Succession/Pioneer Species  Heat makes cones release the seeds  soil will have good nutrients from the ash  space to grow  no trees to block out sunlight from seedlings.

Open-Ended Questions What is the relationship of the sun, producers, and consumers? 1. Sun allows producers to make their own food. 2. Consumers eat the plants because they cannot make their own food from sunlight.

Open-Ended Questions Identify 2 human changes to an ecosystem and provide ways to avoid them.  Introducing new species  Air Pollution  Landfills  Clearing Land