OGT Intervention

Ecology and Cellular Processes

Ecology

The study of relationships between living organisms and their environment

Ecosystem- All of the organisms in an area and the

nonliving factors (abiotic) Terrestrial-land (forest, grassland, desert, taiga,

tundra) Aquatic-water (fresh water and marine/oceans)

Organization

Biosphere-portion of Earth that supports life

Ecosystem-Interaction of plants and animals and the biotic factors

Community-All the populations of species living in the same place at the same time

Population-All one species Organism-One living thing

II. Levels of organization

Organism – complete living thing

Populations – members of the same species living in the same environment.

Communities – members of different species living in the same environment.

Ecosystem – studies the interactions of the communities and the abiotic factors

Biotic/Aboitic

Biotic-Living things Abiotic-Non living

Ex) Temperature Water Soil Minerals Sunlight Oxygen Many organisms have a “range of tolerance”. The amount of

change they can withstand. No set requirements.

1. Density-dependent factors

Disease Competition Parasites Food availability Larger and closer a

group is the greater the effect.

Density-independent factors

Most are abiotic Temperature Disasters: floods,

storms, drought, pollution

Succession

After a natural disaster…how the species of plants and animals return to an area.

Usually secondary succession Primary succession has to make soil

Interactions

Predation-Predator captures and kills its prey

Natural Selection has allowed both to develop adaptations Ex) Predator-Wolves with sharp teeth Ex) Prey-camouflage

Parasitism

A parasite feeds on a host. Usually the parasite does not kill the host (not immediately)

Ex) tics (endoparasites-inside the host)

Mutualism And Commensalism

Mutualism - Cooperative relationship where two or more species mutually benefit.

Ex) bees and flowers Commensalism - One-sided relationship.

One species benefits with out harming the other species

Competition

When 2 or more species share similar characteristics and require the same resources they compete.

Alien species- non-native species, reproduce out of control because they have no natural predators

Carrying Capacity

The population of a species that an area will generally support

Usually there is equilibrium-a balance among species

Autotrophs and Heterotrophs

Autotrophs - “Automatically” make their own food Producers Plants-that can make their own food by

photosynthesis Heterotrophs - Cannot make their own food. Animals must obtain food

Herbivores-plants Carnivores-meat Omnivores-Both

Decomposers

Break down dead organisms and wastes into organic molecules

Ex) worms Bacteria fungus

Food Chains

Shows the flow of energy and nutrients in an ecosystem

Very simple Shows one organism eating another

Food Web

More complex, show all possible feeding combinations

Still shows the flow of energy and nutrients in an ecosystem

Water, carbon and nitrogen also flow through an ecosystem in the same way as a food chain or food web.

Trophic levels

Energy that is lost is lost as heat

Trophic levels

Energy that is lost is lost as heat

Tertiary Consumer

Primary Consumer

Secondary Consumer

Producer

Environmental Problems

Pollution-rise of industry has led to increased air and water pollution

Global Warming

Burning of fossil fuels has increased the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

Carbon dioxide and water form a “blanket” holding in heat

Less heat can escape leading to the greenhouse effect

Ozone Layer

Ozone absorbs the suns UV rays Without ozone, the UV rays would lead to

genetic mutations in all living cells CFC’s break down the ozone layer

Pesticides

Poisonous chemicals to help control insects, but they become part of the water and soil harming other living things

Pesticides

Bioaccumulation – Taking in pollutants and accumulating them in the body

Biomagnification – Pollutants get more concentrated the further up the food chain it gets.

Bioaccumulation vs Biomagnification

Bioaccumulation vs. Biomagnification - a poem by Lindsey

For bioaccumulation let's look at the word accumulate, It is what would have happened to that fish upon your plate.

As the fish consumed mercury it built up over time, And soon the fish's bloodstream was filled with silvery slime.

Biomagnification sounds like magnifying glasses, And it is when the mercury through each organism passes.

When a big fish eats a little fish to the big fish the mercury flows, And as you move up the food chain the mercury concentration grows.

Environmental Problems

Loss of Natural Resources Renewable resources-forests and water Nonrenewable resources-oil and coal

Destruction of Natural Habitats Humans destroy the habitat Biodiversity-the diversity of different species

(not individuals)

Environmental Solutions

Lifestyle Changes-Reduce, reuse and recycle

Alternative Sources of Energy-wind power, solar power, hydogen-powered fuel cells

Conservation-Protecting Endangered Species and conserve resources