7 Biology & Ecology

List 100 “things” that ehist at CVCC. Determine if each “thing” is Living (L) Non-living (NL) Dead (D) Questionable “Things”….

Biotic – living Abiotic – non-living

5 Characteristics of Life 1.Cellular Organization – all living things are made of at least one cell 2.Heredity – all living things pass genetic information from parent to offspring 3.Reproduction – all living things have the ability to produce offspring 4.Metabolism – all living things require an input of energy 5. Homeostasis – all living things maintain an internal balance by an input and output of nutrients and energy

Organism One individual Population Group of similar individuals in an area Community Several populations interacting in an area Ecosystem All living organisms and the non-living environment in which they live Biosphere Area of earth that contains living organisms

Biology – the study of life Ecology – the study of ecosystems (biotic and abiotic things interacting in the same area) Producer (Autotroph) – organism that can make its own food; usually through photosynthesis Consumer (Heterotroph) – organism that cannot make its own food Carnivore – eats only animals Herbivore – eats only plants Omnivore – eats plants and animals

Energy Flow Energy – the capacity to do work; energy can be lost as it moves through an ecosystem; about 10% of the energy at one level actually makes it to the next level Food Chain – diagram used to show how energy is passed from one organism to another Food Web – a diagram used to show how energy is passed through an entire ecosystem

Food Web 1.Trace the path of one food chain within thefood web. 2. Use a different color to trace the path of another food chain within the food web. 3. Label all producers “P”. 4. Label all consumers “C”. 5. Label each consumer as either Carnivore “C” Herbivore “H” Omnivore “O”

Relationships Influencing Energy Flow Predator – organism that hunts for its food Prey – organism that is hunted as food Symbiotic Relationship – long term relationship between two organisms where at least one organism benefits MutualismMutualism – symbiotic relationship where BOTH organisms benefit ParasitismParasitism – symbiotic relationship where ONE benefits and the other is harmed CommensalismCommensalism – symbiotic relationship where ONE benefits and the other is unaffected

Nutrient Flow Nutrient – material needed by living organisms to survive; examples: oxygen, carbon dioxide, water; nutrients recycle through ecosystems and are never created or destroyed.