Energy and ecosystems (55 hours)
As a result of their activities organisms require energy, much of which is lost from their system to the environment as heat. Energy in living systems is obtained in the processes of
autotrophic or heterotrophic nutrition. Chemical bond energy is released from nutrients during cellular respirations. In multicellular organisms there is exchange of materials with the
environment and some means of transporting matter within the body. Organisms interact with each other as populations and communities and with their abiotic environment as ecosystems.
Different groups of organisms are adapted to different types of habitats and their unique abiotic conditions. In a natural ecosystem inputs and outputs of one group of organisms is usually
balanced by the inputs and outputs of other groups, creating a dynamic equilibrium. The energy incorporated in chemical bonds thereby flows through the ecosystem. The chemicals
comprising matter are recycled. When dynamic equilibrium does not exist within an ecosystem, a change in the numbers and types of organisms occurs to establish homeostasis within the
habitat.
Key Concepts:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Cells are the functioning units of all living things.
Multi-cellular organisms are functioning sets of interrelated systems.
Organisms live an interdependent existence in environments to which they are adapted.
A variety of mechanisms results in continual change at all levels of the natural world.
There are processes in place which maintain dynamic equilibrium at all organisational levels.
There are mechanisms by which characteristics of individuals in one generation are passed on to the next generation.
UNIT ORGANISATION
Main Focus
Key
Ideas
Suggested Development of the Main focus
Obtaining and
maintaining energy
1, 2, 4
Establish an understanding of the necessity for the
living organism of obtaining and maintaining a
constant energy supply.
Exchanging matter with
the environment
3, 6, 7,
8, 11
Determine ways in which gases and nutrients are
exchanged with the environment and how
osmoregulation and excretion are achieved in plants
and animals.
Internal transport
3, 6, 7,
8
Examine and understand the means by which
materials are transported in a variety of plants and
animals.
Interacting with the
environment
12, 15,
16, 20,
21
Develop an understanding of how organisms are
influenced by and influence the environments to
which they are adapted.
Possible Student Activities and
Learning Experiences
Answer the questions:
What is energy? Why is it
needed? How is it obtained by
autotrophs? How is it obtained
by heterotrophs?
Determine through
experimentation the energy
levels of particular foods.
Microscopic examination of
plant material.
Dissection of a selected animal.
Experimental investigations.
Microscopic examination of
plant and animal material.
Dissection of a selected animal.
Experimental investigations.
Investigation to compare and
evaluate the abiotic and biotic
components of two different
areas in the school yard.
Skills
Objectives
Text Reference
UB, IB
Ch. 14.4
Ch. 14.5.1
Ch. 17.1
1, 2,
5, 6
UB, IB
Ch. 15.1.3
Ch. 15.2
Ch. 17.2
Ch. 17.4
1, 2,
5, 6
UB, IB
Ch. 15.4
Ch. 17.3
3, 6
UB, IB
Ch. 6
6
Energy and ecosystems
Continued
UNIT ORGANISATION
Main Focus
Key
Ideas
Suggested Development of the Main focus
Organisms exist as
populations
12, 16
Develop an understanding of the concepts of
population, distribution and abundance and the factors
which influence these.
Reproductive strategies
affect population size
1, 5, 17,
23
Energy and matter in
ecosystems
9, 13,
15
Types of ecosystems
12, 16
Australian communities
10, 12,
15, 16
Examine various strategies employed by plants and
animals.
Develop an understanding that ecosystems are
complex associations of organisms which interact
with each other and their abiotic environment and of
the ways that energy and matter move through
ecosystems.
Examine different types of communities and relate
their composition to adaptations to specific
environmental conditions.
Evaluate the impact of past and present conditions of
the Australian continent on indigenous plants and
animals.
Possible Student Activities
and Learning Experiences
Simulations of the effects of
various factors on population,
size and growth.
Microscopic and macroscopic
examination of plant and
animal reproductive systems.
Collection (photographic etc)
of a variety of seeds
displaying different types of
dispersal.
Skills
1, 2, 4,
5
Objectives
Text Reference
UB, IB
Ch. 7
UB, IB
Ch. 16
Ch. 17.5
Ch. 17.6
Ch. 8
Field study
UB, IB, EBI
Ch. 9
Aspects of
Chapters 6 and 9