1. © 2006 Plano ISD, Plano, TX Introducing

2. © 2006 Plano ISD, Plano, TX the study of the relationships between biotic and abiotic factors in environments eco (G) root home, abode log, -o, y (G) suffix study of Ecology Eco logy

3. © 2006 Plano ISD, Plano, TX Ecosystem includes all abiotic and biotic factors in one particular environment Biotic Factors the living parts of an ecosystem Abiotic Factors the nonliving parts of an ecosystem

4. © 2006 Plano ISD, Plano, TX Biotic Factors Bio bio(s), bio(t) (G) root life include plants, animals, fungi, microorganisms Abiotic Factors A A include air, water, soil, temperature, wind, source of energy (usually sun) a, an(G) prefix not, without

5. © 2006 Plano ISD, Plano, TX Levels of Organization smallest unit of living things group of similar cells organized to work together group of different kinds of tissues working together group of organs working together one individual living thing all organisms of the same kind living in one area all interacting populations in an ecosystem all living and nonliving things interacting within a certain area large region with typical plants and animals that includes several ecosystems cell

6. © 2006 Plano ISD, Plano, TX Producer Autotrophs Rely on sun to create food. Examples Plants Algae Microorganisms Source of all food in the ecosystem 6H 2 O + 6CO 2  C 6 H 12 O 6 + 6O 2 Contain the most energy based on the 10% rule

7. © 2006 Plano ISD, Plano, TX Consumer AKA Heterotrophs 4 categories: Herbivore - Eat mainly plants. Prefix Herb=grass or herb Suffix vore = to eat Omnivore – Eat both plants & animals. Prefix Omni = all Carnivore – Eat mainly animals. Latin carnis = flesh Scavenger – Eat dead organisms http://www.pearsonsuccessnet.com/snpapp/iText/products/0-13-064376-9/ch17/videoBlank.html?/ebook/products/0-13-064376-9/video/sx02vtlngoro.mov

8. © 2006 Plano ISD, Plano, TX Decomposer Break down waste and dead organisms i.e. absorbing nutrients  return raw materials to the environment Important in recycling nutrients!!! Usually found on ground or low areas Examples: Bacteria Fungi

9. © 2006 Plano ISD, Plano, TX plants herbivores carnivores FOOD CHAINS Producers Primary consumers Secondary consumers Tertiary consumers MUCH FOOD WEBS But in real ecosystems, who eats who is MUCH more complicated…instead of food chains, ecologists usually talk about FOOD WEBS

10. © 2006 Plano ISD, Plano, TX The transfer of energy from sun  producer  primary consumer  secondary consumer  tertiary consumer can be shown in a FOOD CHAIN.

11. © 2006 Plano ISD, Plano, TX Are interconnected food chains They show the feeding relationships in an ecosystem Food Webs: