Ecology: The Study of interactions between organisms and their

environment

An Organism is a Living Thing But What Makes Something ALIVE???

•Basic unit of “organization” is the cell•Contains DNA, the universal genetic code•Ability to obtain and use Energy•Ability to Grow and Develop•Ability to Reproduce•Ability to Adapt and Respond to the Environment (Response to Stimuli)•Ability to Maintain Homeostasis

1. Cell is the basic unit of life

2. All living things have DNA- the universal genetic code

3.) Requires Energy

4.) GrowthIndividual Growth (getting bigger)

5.) Reproduction a. Necessary for a species but NOT an individual

b. Sexual/asexual reproductionc. Ability to pass genetic information (DNA) to offspring

6. Interact and Respond to the environmenti.Adapt to changes in their environment

ii. Respond to stimuli

7) Homeostasis is the maintenance of a constant internal environment

i. % of water in your bodyii. Body Temperatureiii. Production of cells/growth

Levels of Organization

Ecosystem

Community

Population

Individual - Species

Biome

Biosphere

Levels of Organization

Levels of Organization:Individual vs. Species

• Individual (The single organism): -You -Squirrel -Pine Tree• SPECIES:

– A group of very similar organisms that are able to breed and produce fertile offspring ( Passing on DNA/Genes)

The smallest level that ecologists study is the speciesfocusing on adaptations of the species to its environment(Meaning that they are looking at the species, not an individual)

The Mule•Father = Male Donkey 62 Chromosomes•Mother = Female Horse 64 Chromosomes•Offspring = Mule 63 Chromosomes

Levels of Organization: Population• Groups of individuals that belong to the

same species and live in the same area• Ex: Upper Cape Tech students living in the

surrounding towns

Levels of Organization: Community• Grouping of all populations that live in the

same area• Ex: All living organisms at a set lake (algae,

deer, fish, protists, bacteria)

Levels of Organization: Ecosystem• A collection of all organisms that live in a

particular place, together with their nonliving environment.

• Ex: All Biotic Factors (algae, deer, fish, protists, bacteria) at a lake and the Abiotic Factors including water, dissolved chemicals, types of rock, soil, and sediments.

Levels of Organization: Biome• Group of ecosystems that have same climate

and similar dominant communities (why?)• Climate

– Typical weather pattern of area over time– Major factors = temperature and precipitation

Levels of Organization: Biosphere?– The largest of Nature’s “houses”– Contains all portions of the planet in which life

exists– It includes land, water, air– It extends from 8km above earth’s surface to 11km

below surface of ocean.