Ecology: the study of interrelationships between
organisms and their environment
• Basic unit studied: the organism!
• Abiotic = nonliving (air, water, soil)
Biotic = living (plants and animals)
• Ecology is part of biology (the study of
___?)
• LIFE! (Bio = life)
Ecology: the study of interrelationships between
organisms and their environment
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Ecology means the study of home
Eco is also in economics
How are ecology and economics similar??
Benefit – cost = $$ in economics
Benefit – cost = survival in ecology
(for the organism!)
Levels of organization
Subatomic
particles
atoms
molecules
organelles
cells
tissues
organs
biosphere
Organ systems
ecosystem
Multicellular
ORGANISM!
community
population
Levels of organization
Subatomic
particles
atoms
molecules
organelles
Smallest
living unit
cells
tissues
organs
biosphere
Organ systems
ecosystem
Multicellular
ORGANISM!
community
population
Prokaryotic vs. Eukaryotic Cells
Prokaryotic
Primitive
Simple
DNA is in nucleiod region
No membrane bound
organelles
Smaller
Eukaryotic
modern
complex
DNA is in nucleus
membrane bound
organelles
Larger
Prokaryotic Cell
Eukaryotic Cell
3 Domains
1. Archae:
Prokaryotic cells
Extreme environments
2. Bacteria:
Prokaryotic cells
Extreme environments
3. Eukarya:
Eukaryotic Cells
Protisits, Fungi, Plants, Animals
Domains/Kingdoms
• Archae: single-celled, prokaryotic, extreme
environments, look like bacteria
• Bacteria (Eubacteria): true bacteria, single-celled,
prokaryotic, includes E. coli
• Eukarya:
Protista: single-celled plants and animals, eukaryotic,
includes Paramecium (pond water organisms)
Fungi: multicellular, eukaryotic, chemotrophs,
decompsers, includes: yeasts, molds and mushrooms
Plantae: multicellular, eukaryotic, autotrophs
(photosynthesis), includes: grass, shrubs, trees
Animalia: multicellular, eukaryotic, heterotrophs, motile,
includes: you!
Prokaryotic vs. Eukaryotic Cells
Prokaryotic
Primitive
Simple
DNA is in nucleiod region
No membrane bound
organelles
Smaller
Bacteria, Archae
Eukaryotic
modern
complex
DNA is in nucleus
membrane bound
organelles
Larger
Protists, Fungi, Plants
Animals
Unnumbered Figure 15_UN310
Domain Eukarya
Taxonomy
• Linnaeus/binomial name (Genus species)
• Humans = Homo sapiens
• Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family,
Genus, Species
• Homology = similarity in structure due to a
common ancestor
• Analogy = similarity in function not due to
a common ancestor
• DNA comparison
Homologous Structures
Let’s play:
Which is more closely related?
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BAT, BIRD, DOG??
BAT & BIRD?
BAT & DOG?
DOG & BIRD?
BAT & DOG!!
WHY??
THEY ARE BOTH MAMMALS (fur and
teeth)
Schools of Taxonomy
• Phenetics: looks for similarity and
differences whether homology or analogy
• Phylogenetics/systematics: use
homologies to map evolutionary
relationship
Phylogenetic tree: series of branches
Energy flow: Food Chain
Grass
(producer)
Mouse
(herbivore)
Snake
(primary
carnivore)
Hawk
(secondary
carnivore)
Should this be drawn in a line as above or another shape???
Energy pyramid
What did we leave out??
Grass
(producer)
Mouse
(herbivore)
Snake
(primary
carnivore)
Hawk
(secondary
carnivore)
Decomposers (detritivores) = the recyclers!!!
Food Web
(multiple food chains)