Unit 1: Ecology Notes
NAME:_________
Table of Contents
Part 1: What is Ecology?
Part 2: Levels of Organization in Ecology
Part 3: Organism
Part 4: Biomes
Part 5: Succession
Part 6: Cycles of Matter
Part 7: Population
Part 8: Community
Part 9: Transfer of Energy
Part 10: Human Impact
INSTRUCTIONS: WHILE you read the chapter, COMPLETE these interactive notes by following the DIRECTIONS in BOLD.
OWNER’S NAME:___________________
INTRODUCTION TO BIOLOGY AND THE STUDY OF LIFE______
What is Biology?
Define Biology:
Define Organism:
There are many types of Biologists that study different aspects about life. For example,
some biologists only study where life exists. Others may study how living things behave,
and still other biologists might study how a specific organism grows or develops. We call
these different fields of Biological study, ___________ of Biology.
Some Branches of Biology:
-
Biology Unit I: Ecology
Part 1: What is Ecology?
Define Ecology:
Define Environment:
THE ENVIRONMENT
Abiotic Factors:
Examples:
Biotic Factors:
Examples:
Part 2: Levels of Organization in Ecology
Ecologists, scientists that study Ecology, have organized organism’s interactions with
each other and their environment into different levels.
Why?
Organization of Ecology into to Levels, based on organism interactions with each other and their environment
Organism  Species  Population  Community  Ecosystem  Biome
Define Organism:
Define Species:
Define Population:
Define Community:
Define Ecosystem:
Define Biome:
Ecology Term Practice: Read the following case study and identify the five levels of organization.
Case Study:
The Appalachian Trail (AT) is the longest hiking trail in the nation. It is approximately
2,178 miles long and on average takes three months to hike. One end of the Appalachian
Trail is located in Northeastern Georgia just seven miles away from the city of Atlanta,
while the other end is located in Maine. While hiking the AT, it is common for hikers to
come across mountain lions, bob cats, squirrels, cottontail deer, and even black bear. The
Eastern Gray Squirrel can be a source of food for mountain lions and bob cats. The Gray
Squirrel usually makes its home in oak trees. It lives in the holes drilled by woodpeckers.
It spends most of its time finding and burying nuts, as its main source of food is hickory
nuts, acorns, and/or walnuts. Depending on the time of year, hikers may experience
heavy rain or even snow. Many hikers will tell you the trail is a formidable opponent,
because of its steep rocky climbs and slippery muddy terrain after a heavy rain.
Identify examples of the following terms in the case study:
Organism:
Species:
Populations:
Community:
Ecosystem:
Part 3: ORGANISMS
Brainstorm: What is life?
What do all living things have in common?
 Exactly what life is and how it starts is one of the most difficult problems in science. There is no
simple statement that can be used to define life. The only sure way to define life is to describe its
characteristics.
Characteristic 1: __________________________________
Cells:


Unicellular organisms:
Ex:
Multi-cellular organisms:
Ex:
Characteristic 2:___________________________________
Genetic Code:

Reproduction:
 Sexual:
 Asexual:
Characteristic 3:___________________________________
Metabolism:
Characteristic 4:___________________________________
Two types of growth:
 Results in INCREASE in size
o
 Results in NO INCREASE in size
o
Characteristic 5:___________________________________
Three things must occur:



Characteristic 6:___________________________________
Homeostasis:
Part 4: BIOMES
Brainstorm: What are the places on Earth where we can find life?
Define Habitat:
 Ecologists divide Earth into areas that have similar climates and similar plant
and animal life. These areas are called BIOMES.
Define Climate:
 To date, Ecologists have organized Earth into _________ biomes.
The oceans themselves are divided into _________ different biomes.
List of Biomes of Earth:
1.-__________________________
2.-__________________________
3.-__________________________
4.-__________________________
5.-__________________________
6.-__________________________
7.-__________________________
8.-__________________________
9.-__________________________

Biomes on Land are called _________________

Biomes in the water are called ______________ _____________.
____________.
Biome Identification Practice
Directions:
Create a Biome Foldable that artistically demonstrates your knowledge of the
following 6 terrestrial biomes:
- Taiga
- Temperate Deciduous Forest
- Tropical Rainforest
- Desert
- Tundra
- Grassland
For each terrestrial biome include the following information:
- Location(s)
- Climate
- Animal Life
- Plant Life
- Adaptations organisms have that allow them to survive in the biome