Environmental Science
Chapter 4:
The Organization of Life
Mr. Manskopf
Notes also available at
http://www.manskopf.com
The Organization Of Life Big Ideas
In an ecosystem, the biotic and
abiotic components interact to form
an interconnected system.
 Species adapt to their environment
through a long process of evolution
and natural selection.
 Humans classify the diversity of life
on Earth in order to better
understand their relationships.

Section 1: Ecosystems: Everything
is Connected
GOALS
 Distinguish between biotic and abiotic
factors in an ecosystem
 Describe how a population, community
differ from a species
 Explain the importance of habitats
What is an ecosystem?
Defining an ecosystem
Ecosystem: all the
organisms living in
an area together
 Forest Ecosystem
 Pond Ecosystem
 Vacant Lot
Ecosystem
 Desert Ecosystem

All Ecosystems are connected
How does your
ecosystem
impact the
Atlantic Ocean?
Parts of an ecosystem
Parts of an ecosystem
In order for an
ecosystem to survive
there must be certain
basic parts
 Energy
 Mineral nutrients
 Carbon dioxide
 Water
 Oxygen and more
What are some parts of this
ecosystem?
Biotic vs. Abiotic
Biotic: living parts of
the ecosystem
 Plants, animals,
bacteria, etc.
Abiotic: nonliving parts
of the ecosystem
 Sunlight, soil, air,
temperature
What are some biotic AND abiotic parts of this ecosystem?
Organizing Biotic
Parts
Smallest Unit
Organism: an
individual living
thing like you, a
tree, a fox, a rose
Species are groups of
organisms like red
foxes or black
widow spiders, or
grizzly bears
Population
Population: all the
members of the same
species that live in
the same place at the
same time
 Field mice living in a
corn field, grizzly
bears of Yellowstone
Park area
Community
Community: a group of
various species that live
in the same place and
interact with each other.
 Pond Community
 Pineland Forest
Habitat
Habitat: a place
where an organism
lives Organisms are
well suited for their
habitat
Section 1 Review
Distinguish between biotic and abiotic
factors in an ecosystem
 Describe how a population, community
differ from a species
 Explain the importance of habitats

Section 2: Evolution
GOALS
 Explain the process of evolution by natural
selection.
 What is adaptation?
 What is artificial selection?
 How is it possible that organisms become
resistant?
White coat
of polar
bear helps
in hunting
Big ears of
desert jack
rabbit allow it to
cool off quickly
Long
neck of
giraffe
allow it to
reach
food
Natural Selection
Natural Selection:
survival and
reproduction of
organisms with
particular traits
 Survival of fittest
 Certain traits are
more likely to
survive
The fastest bird with biggest
wings will eat more and is
more likely to survive and
reproduce.
The insect that blends in and is able to survive
may be more likely to reproduce.
Evolution
Evolution: change in
the genetic
characteristics of a
population from one
generation to the
next
 Slowly nature
selects the genes
that survive best in
each ecosystem
Adaptation: an inherited trait that increases
an organisms chance of survival and
reproduction.
Desert plants have small or no leaves
at all
Llamas have adapted to live at
high altitude
Artificial Selection
Artificial Selection:
selective breeding of
organisms by humans
 Selecting certain
desirable traits
 Size, sweetness,
color, shape,
 Very common
Selecting desirable traits and breeding
only those with those traits.
Impacts of Evolution: Resistance
Resistance
Resistance: the ability
of one or more
organisms to tolerate
a chemical designed
to kill it
 Able to survive and
reproduce
 Pesticide resistance
 Antibiotic resistance
Why is
this a
problem?
Section 2 Review
Explain the process of evolution by natural
selection.
 What is adaptation?
 What is artificial selection?
 How is it possible that organisms become
resistant?

Section 3

Use your book to list the six Kingdoms of
Life and give several examples. Use pages
108-113.