Biology Review Facts
E1 I can describe the biological criteria that need to be met in order for an organism to be
considered alive.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Made of cells
Genetic code- DNA or RNA
Maintain internal environment
Evolve
Respond to environment
Grow and develop
Reproduce
Obtain and use energy
Why are viruses not alive?
No cells, not respond to environment, cannot reproduce independently, do not grow
and develop
E2 I can define and provide examples of each level of organization (e.g., biosphere, biome,
ecosystem, community, population, multicellular organism, organ system, organ, tissue, cell,
organelle, molecule, atom, subatomic particle)
Level of Org.
Subatomic particle
atom
molecules
cells
tissues
organs
Organ system
organism
population
community
ecosystem
biome
biosphere
Example
Proton, neutron, electron
Carbon
H2O
Plant cell
Muscular tissue
heart
Digestive system
person
Human population
All living things in one area
Forest ecosystem
tundra
All biomes on Earth
E3 I can define and provide examples of biosphere, biome, ecosystem, community,
population, species, habitat, and niche
Species- organisms that can produce fertile offspring
Habitat- place in the ecosystem where the organism lives
Biology Review Facts
Niche - the role or the job that the organism performs in the ecosystem. (Organisms
avoid competition by occupying different niches --- Competitive Exclusion Principle)
E4 I can discuss biotic and abiotic factors that affect land and aquatic biomes
Biotic- living (ex. of plants and animals for each)
Abiotic – nonliving (rainfall, seasons, soil type)
Review biome characteristics
E5 I can discuss the role of beneficial bacteria (e.g., in the recycling of nutrients)
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Bacteria are essential in converting nitrogen into a form that can be used by plants
and animals.
Fixing bacteria are naturally found in the roots of legumes.
Decomposers- help release nutrients so they do not stay trapped in dead organic
material
Help digestive system by breaking down materials that animals cannot break down
on their own.
E6 I can explain how energy flows through ecosystems in one direction, from photosynthetic
organisms to herbivores to carnivores and decomposers
Sun- Autotroph (producers)-heterotroph (consumers)- decomposers
Biology Review Facts
E7 I can explain how the amount of life any environment can support is limited by the
available matter and energy and by the ability of ecosystems to recycle the residue of dead
organic materials
Limiting factors- resources that are necessary to survive.
Density dependent- competition for food, water & space; parasitism; predation
Density independent- natural disasters, human disturbances, weather conditions
**** We only have a limited # of nutrients (matter ) on Earth. So nutrients like nitrogen,
oxygen, carbon must be recycled.******
E9 I can diagram the flow of energy using food webs, food chains, and pyramids (e.g.,
pyramid of energy, pyramid of biomass, and pyramid of numbers) SEE E6
E10 I can describe examples of competition, symbiosis, and predation
Competition- when organisms fight for the same resource. Only occurs when vital for
survival.
Symbiotic Relationships: when two species live in close relationship with one another.
1. Mutualism (+,+) ex- flower and insect
2. Commensalism (+, 0) ex- shark and remora
3. Parasitism (+,-) dog and tick
E11 I can explain the concept of carrying capacity
Carrying capacity- the maximum number of organisms an ecosystem can support.
When carrying capacity is reached resources become limited.
Biology Review Facts
E12 I can describe the growth of populations, including exponential and logistic growth (e.g.,
design and conduct an experiment investigating bacterial growth using appropriate
calculations)
Exponential growth:
1. When population reproduces at a constant rate.
2. Ideal conditions- no predation, no disease, unlimited resources.
3. Graph- J curve
Logistic growth:
1. When the population levels off as resources become limited.
2. Usually occurs in nature
3. Graph- S curve
E13 I can explain the process of ecological succession, and describe the different
communities that result
Primary Succession:
1.
2.
3.
4.
no soil
organisms inhabit an area for the first time
Pioneer species- usually lichens
Ex. Volcanic rock hardening after eruption or glacier melts that expose new rock.
Secondary Succession:
1. Occurs after a natural disaster or human disturbance
2. Soil does remain
3. Ex. Wild fires, abandoned agriculture fields
Climax Community- the end result of succession when the ecosystem is fully developed