Biology Reading Notes Outline
Chapter 3: The Biosphere
Name:______________________________
Period: _________ Date: _____________
Read Chapter 3. As you do so, take notes on the following topics on a separate piece of notebook paper.
You will have to study these for tests, so do not just “answer” the topic questions below- write out the
info in an outline format that contains the detail needed to understand what the topic is and what it
means. Leave space between each topic so you can add to the notes during in-class lectures.
3.1 What is Ecology?
1. What is ecology?
2. List and describe the 6 levels of organization of the living environment:
3. Define biotic factors and give examples.
4. Define abiotic factors and give examples.
5. How are biotic and abiotic factors related? Give an example.
6. List and describe the three methods used in ecological studies.
3.2 Energy, Producers, and Consumers
1. What are primary producers?
* Give examples
* What is another name for primary producers?
* What is the ultimate energy source for most of life on Earth?
2. What are the two processes used by primary producers use to make energy?
3. Explain what happens in photosynthesis and in chemosynthesis; discuss what types of
organisms use each process
4. What are consumers?
* Give examples
* What is another name for consumers?
5. What are the 6 classifications of consumers? Describe each one.
3.3 Energy Flow in Ecosystems
1. Where does energy flow always begin?
2. How does energy flow through an ecosystem?
3. What is a food chain?
4. What is a food web?
5. Define trophic level. What organisms can be found at the
* first trophic level?
* subsequent trophic levels? (think of your consumer classifications)
6. What is an ecological pyramid AND what types of pyramids are there?
7. What happens to energy as it flows through each trophic level of an ecosystem?
8. What is biomass and how is it measured?
*What does a pyramid of biomass show?
*What does a pyramid of numbers show?
3.4 Cycles of Matter
1. How does matter move through ecosystems?
2. What is a biogeochemical cycle?
* What types of processes are involved?
* What happens to matter as it moves through these cycles?
3. What human activities have affected biogeochemical cycles?
4. List and describe the stages of the Water, Carbon, Nitrogen, and Phosphorus Cycles (pgs 81-85)