1. Organisms and Their Environment

2. What is Ecology? Ecology is the study of interactions among organisms and their environments Ecologists study relationships among living and nonliving parts of the world.

3. Abiotic Factors The nonliving parts of an organisms environment Examples include: Air Air Water Water Soil Soil Light Light Temperature Temperature

4. Biotic Factors All the living organisms that inhabit an environment

5. Characteristics of Living Things What are some characteristics of living things? What are some characteristics of living things?

6. Characteristics of Living Things Living things share the following characteristics: Living things share the following characteristics: made up of one or more cells reproduce based on a universal genetic code (DNA) grow and develop obtain and use materials and energy respond to their environment maintain a stable internal environment (homeostasis) change over time

7. Copyright Pearson Prentice Hall Some of the levels at which life can be studied include: Some of the levels at which life can be studied include: Organisms or species populations of a single kind of organism communities of different organisms in an area Ecosystems the biosphere Organization

8. Copyright Pearson Prentice Hall Organism or Specie Individual living thing Bison

9. Copyright Pearson Prentice Hall Population Group of organisms of one type that live in the same area Bison herd

10. Copyright Pearson Prentice Hall Community Populations that live together in a defined area Hawk, snake, bison, prairie dog, grass

11. Copyright Pearson Prentice Hall Ecosystem Community and its nonliving surroundings Hawk, snake, bison, prairie dog, grass, stream, rocks, air

12. Copyright Pearson Prentice Hall Biosphere The part of Earth that contains all ecosystems

13. Levels of Organization

14. Habitat The place where an organism lives out its life. Grasslands, forests, oceans, etc. are examples of habitats. Grasslands, forests, oceans, etc. are examples of habitats.