Class notes
Ch 3 Living in the Environment. Miller
Ecology
the study of connections in nature
Organisms
any form of life
Species
a group of organisms that “can and do reproduce fertile offspring”
Example dogs mate and produce puppies which can mate to make more dogs
Example horse and donkey mate and create a mule---mules are sterile so
horse and donkey NOT the same species.
Genetic Diversity members of the same species are not identical. They possess
genetic variations that create slight differences in appearance and behavior.
Biodiversities importance…..
Population Organisms of the same species that live in the same location.
Community All of the different populations that live in the same location.
Distribution / range
The area over which a species is found.
Ex. Conifers northern latitudes and altitudes
Ecosystem A community where populations of different species interact with
each other and with the non-living environment of matter and energy.
The two principals of ecosystems sustainability.
Biosphere
All of the ecosystems together.
Describe Earths support system: Four Spheres from the power point and research.
Hydrosphere
Lithosphere
Atmosphere
Troposphere
View slide 47 + found in Ch 3 PPT folder
What is life….
Greenhouse effect
Types of nutrients.
Climate
Salinity
Photosynthesis
Producers make …….
Chemosynthesis…
Where does most chemosynthesis tale place?
Producers…
Consumers
Levels of consumers
Herbivores
Carnivores
Omnivores
Detritivores
Respiration
Fermentation
Food web
Food chain
Second Law of Energy
Pyramid of energy flow drawing
Show how the amount of energy available changes as it flows through a food web
Biomass
Pyramid of biomass drawing
GPP explain
NPP explain
Describe the concept of ecological efficiency
List the various characteristics that make ecosystems important
Carbon, nitrogen, carbon, water, etc.cycles
Soil
horizons