Ecology Notes
Explore the fundamental characteristics that define living organisms, such as cellular structure, energy use, homeostasis, adaptation, and reproduction. Gain insight into the ecological concepts like habitats, niches, and the interplay between biotic and abiotic factors. Discover the relationships within ecological communities, including populations, and ecosystems, and understand the food chain and food webs. Learn the roles of producers, consumers, and decomposers in these systems, and the importance of energy flow in maintaining ecological balance.
Ecology Notes
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Presentation Transcript
What makes something alive? • It is made up of at least one cell • It uses homeostasis to maintain a balance in its body (temperature, heart beat/pressure) • It can adapt to its environment • It uses energy • It reproduces/grows
Review of terms from field study What is the difference between a habitat and a niche? What is the difference between abiotic and biotic?
Species • Similar organisms that can reproduce and make fertile offspring
Population • A group of organisms of a single species together at the same time and place
Community • Group of different species living together
Ecosystem • All the biotic and abiotic things in an area
Biosphere • Where all living things on Earth exist
Food Chain • A diagram that shows one pathway of energy and who eats who. • The arrows represent which way the energy is flowing. • It always starts with a producer! • GrassAntBirdSnake • The grass is a producer because it produces its own food by using the sun’s energy. • Another word for producer is autotroph.
GrassAntBirdSnake • The ant, bird and snake are called consumers because they have to consume other organisms for energy. • Another name for a consumer is a heterotroph. • Primary consumer-eats the producer (ant) • Secondary consumer-eats the primary consumer (bird) • Tertiary consumer- eats the secondary consumer (snake)
Practice • 1. Who is the secondary consumer? How do you know? • 2. Who is the autotroph? How do you know? • 3. Name the heterotrophs in the food chain.
Food Webs • More complex than a food chain and shows multiple pathways of energy
Practice 1. Who are the primary consumers in the food web? 2. Who are the secondary consumers?