1. PPT #1: Criteria of life? Why is biodiversity so important?
Ecology
PPT #1:
Criteria of life?
Why is biodiversity so important?

2. Guiding Question: how does the flow of energy and matter between populations in an ecosystem help determine the size of a given ecosystem?

3. Define Ecology
The study of interactions between organisms and their environment.
Addresses the full scale of life – from tiny bacteria to multi-celled organisms and process that span the entire Earth

4. Life – how do we define it?
Scientists have 7 criteria that they agree something must meet to be considered ‘living’

5. #1 All organisms are made of cells
Cells are the basic unit of life

6. #2 All organisms need energy
Living organisms need energy in the form of ATP to perform life functions

7. #3 All organisms respond to their environment
Organisms react to changes in their environment

8. #4 All organisms reproduce
Organisms must make more of themselves, either by sexual or asexual means ll

9. #5 All organisms grow and develop
Organisms get bigger (grow) and often more complex (develop) as they get older

10. #6 All organisms carry DNA
Organisms inherit traits from their parents

11. #7 All organisms maintain homeostasis
Living organisms must maintain stable internal conditions
Internal temperature
Blood pressure
Fluids and blood sugar

12. Biodiversity: what is it?
The number and variation of living organisms, both plant and animal, found in a given area

14. Why is biodiversity so important?
Cal Academy of Science Video

15. Two key terms
Variation: a different or distinct form of something

16. Adaptation: a change in an organism that helps it to survive and reproduce in its environment