MARCH 8, 2013
Q-2 PG.
Daily Goal: We will be able to sort and explain the
importance of the biotic and abiotic factors of our
ecosystem.
Homework: Revise your test; finish your comic strip.
Science Starter:
1. Explain transpiration.
2. How might plants be different if they didn’t have guard
cells?
3. What do the stomata control?
WHAT DOES BIO MEAN?
What are some examples?
 Biology
 Biomedical
 Biography
 Biodegradable
 Biodiversity
 Antibiotic
CAN YOU THINK OF MORE?
WHAT DOES BIO MEAN?
What are some examples?
 Biology
 Biomedical
 Biography
 Biodegradable
 Biodiversity
 Antibiotic
LIFE!!
What do
these words
have in
common?
WHAT DOES THE PRE-FIX “A” MEAN?
What are some examples?
 Asymptomatic
 Asymmetrical
 Amoral
 Atypical
What is a
prefix?
CAN YOU THINK OF MORE?
WHAT DOES THE PRE-FIX “A” MEAN?
What are some examples?
 Asymptomatic
 Asymmetrical
 Amoral
 Atypical
Not!!
What do
these words
have in
common?
AN ENVIRONMENT HAS TWO PARTS
Biotic: the living parts of an environment
Abiotic: all the physical factors (like water,
soil, light and temperature) or things that are
not living that affect living things in that area
How many living and non-living things can you
name in this picture?
WHAT ARE THE CHARACTERISTICS
OF LIVING THINGS?
If we’re unsure whether an element is
biotic or abiotic, we can use the
characteristics of living things to
help us out!
Living things can grow or change
Living things can reproduce
Living things can use energy
Biotic elements must have ALL
characteristics of living things, so if you
can’t eliminate one characteristic, check
out the others!
Ann Marie doesn’t know whether the Sun grows
over time, but she knows the Sun CANNOT
reproduce.
IS THE SUN ABIOTIC OR BIOTIC?
WHY?
1. A lynx:
____ Is it made of cells?
_____ Does it grow or change?
_____ Does it reproduce?
_____ Can it use energy?
Is this an example of a biotic or an abiotic element?: _______________
2. A weeping willow tree
_____ Is it made of cells?
_____ Does it grow or change?
_____ Does it reproduce?
_____ Can it use energy?
Is this an example of a biotic or an abiotic element?: ________________
3. WATER
_____ Is it made of cells?
_____ Does it grow or change?
_____ Does it reproduce?
_____ Can it use energy?
Is this an example of a biotic or an abiotic
element?: ________________
LET’S GIVE IT A TRY!
We live in an ecosystem (remember this
word for later) that depends on biotic and
abiotic factors.
Challenge: Find and sort the most abiotic and
biotic factors out of everyone in the class.
DRAW THIS IN YOUR
NOTEBOOK:
Biotic
Abiotic__
CHALLENGE DETAILS:
You will have
5 minutes outside.
In that time, you will have to find and sort as many
biotic and abiotic factors as you can.
The winner will get a no homework pass.
REMEMBER THAT WORD THAT I
TOLD YOU TO REMEMBER FOR
LATER?
Who was paying attention?
(I feel a table group point coming on!)
ECOSYSTEM!
 Ecosystem- All the biotic and abiotic factors
in an environment put together.
EVERYTHING IN NATURE IS
CONNECTED
• Think about this:
Alligators dig underwater holes to escape from
the heat. Later, after the alligators abandon
their holes, fish and other aquatic organisms live
in them when the water level gets low during a
drought. Alligators also build nest mounds in
which to lay their eggs, and they enlarge these
mounds each year. Eventually, the mounds
become small islands where trees and other
plants grow. Herons, egrets, and other birds
build their nests in the trees.
CRITICAL THINKING!
How might our ecosystem change if we
didn’t have abiotic factors?
Would it matter? Be ready to explain!
Biotic and Abiotic Factors
How would you describe this ecosystem?
What abiotic factors play a role in this ecosystem?
What biotic factors play a role in this ecosystem?
Biotic and Abiotic Factors
Biotic Factors:
Abiotic Factors
1. _______________________
1. ____________________
Deer
Rocks
Bird
2. _______________________
2. ____________________
Soil
Trees
3. _______________________
4. _______________________
Plants
Temperature: _____________________________________
75°F
Amount of sunlight: ________________________________
Lots
Amount of water: __________________________________
None, except for rain.
Biotic and Abiotic Factors
How do the biotic and abiotic factors interact?
Without the soil, sunlight, and the warm
temperature none of the biotic factors (plants
and animals) would be able to survive.
Biotic and Abiotic Factors
How do the biotic and abiotic factors interact?
Without the soil, sunlight, and the warm
temperature none of the biotic factors (plants
and animals) would be able to survive.
For the next 3 slides:
• List the biotic factors.
• List the abiotic factors.
• List the climate.
• Write at least 3 sentences explaining
how the biotic and abiotic factors are
interconnected.