SVHS LAB BIOLOGY
ECOLOGY OF POPULATIONS
READING:
SCIENCE STANDARDS:
2012-2013
Modern Biology Chapters 1, 18 and 19
Ecology 6a, 6b, 6c, 6g. Inv & Exp. 1a-d, 1f-g.
UNIT OBJECTIVES:
A) Be able to identify the characteristics of living things (pages 6-9)
B) Understand the different variables in scientific experiments, and know the steps of the scientific method
C)
E)
F)
G)
H)
(pages 13-19)
Be able to identify the various ecological levels of organization found in the biosphere and the theme that is
ever present at each of these levels. (Pages 359-362)
D) Be able to explain how organisms react to changes either abiotic or biotic in their habitat and how these
changes must fall within a range of tolerance before they can survive. (Pages 363-365)
Be able to explain the concept “niche” and contrast generalists and specialists. (Page 365)
Be able to explain, using an energy pyramid why many acres of land are needed before a single consumer at the
top of the pyramid such as a red tail hawk can exist. (Pages 366-369)
Be able to explain how fluctuations in population size in an ecosystem are determined by the relative rates of
birth, immigration, emigration, and death. (Pages 383-386)
Be able to contrast a population in exponential growth with one that is in logistic growth. Compare the curves,
identify the parts of the curves, and explain how limiting factors are creating a carrying capacity in one of the
curves. (Pages 386-387)
VOCABULARY LIST:
homeostasis
independent variable
theory
Biotic factors
Niche
Specialists
Abiotic factors
Generalists
Habitat
Community
hypothesis
Regulators
SCHEDULE:
Wednesday 8/15
INTRODUCTION TO CLASS. Grading policy, course syllabus, textbooks
Homework: Read 5-19
Friday 8/17
Lecture
Lab:
HW:
1.1, 1.2 the study of Biology
Rainbow milk lab
Read 20-25, complete lab questions
Tuesday 8/21
Lecture
Lab:
HW:
1.3, 1.4 Tools and techniques of Biology
Earthworm observations
Read pgs 359-365, complete lab questions
Wed 8/22
Lecture:
Homework:
Introduction and ecology of organisms pg 358-365
Read pages 366-369.
Finish Ecology pre-lab parts A, B
Friday 8/24
Lecture:
Lab:
Homework:
Energy Transfer 366-369
Toothpick ecology simulation: day 1
Read pages 385-387. Complete Ecology pre-lab parts C-F
(more on back)
dependent variable
Tuesday 8/28
Lecture:
Lab:
Homework:
Measuring populations 385-387
Toothpick ecology simulation: day 2
Read pages 388-392, study vocabulary
Thursday 8/30
Lecture:
Quiz:
Lab:
Homework:
Population regulation 388-389
Vocabulary quiz
Toothpick ecology presentations and Lab Team Test.
Prepare for Unit 1 test. Complete Lab Packet
Monday 8/29
Unit 1 TEST: Ecology of Populations
Unit 1 lab packet due
SVHS LAB BIOLOGY
ECOLOGY OF POPULATIONS SELF STUDY GUIDE
1) From pages 358-362 titled “Introduction to Ecology” be able to;
A)
B)
C)
D)
Describe the key theme that is always present in the study of ecology
Explain the consequence of interconnectedness in ecology.
Explain how models are useful in ecological study.
List and define the levels of organization regarding ecology.
2) From pages 363-365 titled “Ecology of Organisms” be able to;
A)
B)
C)
D)
E)
F)
G)
H)
Contrast biotic and abiotic factors found in any environment.
Describe what a tolerance curve tells you about a species in its environment.
Describe how different species adapt to changes in their environment.
Contrast conformers with regulators.
Explain dormancy and migration in terms of an organisms escape from unsuitable conditions.
Define the term niche regarding a species.
Contrast fundamental and realized niches.
Contrast the terms generalized and specialists regarding species and their niches.
3) From pages 366-367 titled “Energy Transfer”
A)
B)
C)
D)
E)
F)
G)
4)
Contrast producers and consumers.
Define the term biomass.
Define and contrast gross primary productivity and net primary productivity.
Name a type of ecosystem that has very high productivity and one that has very low productivity.
What factors usually determine the level of productivity in an ecosystem.
Contrast herbivores, carnivores, and omnivores.
Define detritivores and decomposers.
From pages 368-369 titled "Energy Flow" be able to;
A)
B)
C)
D)
E)
Explain the term trophic level.
Define “food chain”.
Define “food web” and explain how it is different than a food chain.
Explain how much energy is transferred from trophic level to trophic level.
Explain why ecosystems usually have just a few trophic levels.
5) From pages 380-384 titled “Understanding Populations” be able to;
A)
B)
C)
D)
E)
Define the term population.
Describe how population size and density differ.
Define population dispersion and describe the three forms that can be observed.
Define birth rate, mortality rate, and life expectancy.
Describe the three different types of survivorship curves.
6) From pages 385-387 titled “Measuring Populations” be able to;
A)
B)
C)
D)
E)
F)
Define growth rate regarding populations.
Calculate the per capita growth rate of a population given birth and death rates.
Contrast exponential and logistic growth.
Define limiting factor and explain how it effects exponential growth.
Describe how limiting factors create a carrying capacity for the growth curve.
Contrast the two types of limiting factors; density-dependent and density independent.
7) From pages 390- 392 titled “Human Population Growth”
A) Explain how the development of agriculture changed the pattern of human population growth
B) Describe changes in the human population size in the last 10,000 years.
C) Contrast developed country and developing country.