Bellringer-1/22/16 1. What is Biology? 2. What characteristics classify something as living? 3. A bird watcher records the movement of migrating birds. In which part of the scientific process is the bird watcher participating? a) Controlling variables b) Experimenting c) Observing d) Hypothesizing
Introduction to Biology What is Life?
Biology Biology is the study of living organisms Bio means life
What do you think it means to be living?
The Characteristics of Life Living organisms Are made of cells Obtain and use energy Grow and develop Reproduce Respond to their environment Adapt to their environment
We are going to look at all of these characteristics this semester!
The study of ecosystems
Ecosystems are communities of living organisms in relation to all the nonliving components within them These are called biotic and abiotic factors
Nutrients are recirculated through organisms and their surrounding environments Energy cycles within ecosystems include: Carbon Cycle Nitrogen Cycle Water Cycle But first we re going to look at how energy cycles through an ecosystems
Autotrophs-make their own food using CO2 to make glucose (sugar) producers Heterotrophs-have to eat other organisms to gain energy consumers
Herbivores eat only plants (Ex. Grasshopper, rabbit, cow) Omnivores eat both meat and plants (Ex. Human, bear) Carnivores eat only meat(ex. Owl, shark, tiger) Think about it: What adaptations do carnivores have for survival? Herbivores? Omnivores?
Decomposers-break down dead, organic matter Notice in this food chain, bacteria serves as the decomposer when the organisms die. Other examples include fungi (like mushrooms) and earthworms.
FOOD CHAIN One pathway of energy flow FOOD WEB All the possible pathways of energy flow
Energy flows through ecosystems Food chains and food webs show how energy originating in the sun travels through organisms Arrows always point in the direction of energy flow!
The energy that travels from the sun is called radiant energy This travels in the form of electromagnetic waves. The sun is a natural source of radiant energy! Plants then use photosynthesis to convert radiant energy from the sun to chemical energy in the form of glucose (sugar) Autotrophs are a crucial part of the food web! Without them, we could not gain energy! Think about it: What is the difference between radiant energy and thermal energy? Radiant energy travels directly from the sun via waves. Thermal energy is energy that comes from heat. The two can be related, but are not the same!
During the transfer of energy, only 10% is stored as you move through each level. The rest is lost to respiration, digestion,etc.
Radiant energy of the sun is the ultimate source of energy on Earth! Autotrophs use sunlight to make their food.(radiant energy converts to chemical) Heterotrophs will now gain energy by consuming other organisms. Decomposers will break down dead material. Think about it: Is the sun part of the food chain? Yes, it is the energy source of the food chain. But remember, the first organism in the food chain is always an autotroph (producer)!
1. Imagine you ate steak for lunch. Explain how the energy you got from that steak originated in the sun! 2. In the food chain below, identify at least 1 example of each of the following: autotroph, heterotroph, decomposer, herbivore, carnivore 3. What could you add to this food web to make the frog an omnivore?
1. Radiant energy from the sun must be converted into chemical energy that allows organisms like us to survive. What key component of the food chain converts that solar energy into chemical energy? 2. Create a simple food chain of at least 4 organisms. Using arrows, identify the direction that the energy travels as it moves through the chain.
Nitrogen cycles through the environment in various chemical forms All organisms require nitrogen to live and grow 78% of nitrogen is in the atmosphere-it must be converted to a usable form! Nitrogen Fixing Bacteria-Microorganisms that converts nitrogen from the atmosphere into fixed nitrogen in the soil (usable form) for other plants to use Nitrogen Fixing Bacteria
The nitrogen cycle mostly takes place underground Nitrogen fixation: bacteria (in soil or on plant roots) convert N 2 gas to ammonia Ammonia is released in the soil and transformed into ammonium Nitrifying bacteria change the ammonium to nitrate Decomposition returns nitrogen to the soil!
Carbon circulates through the atmosphere and organisms Plants take in carbon dioxide through photosynthesis and release oxygen; animals inhale oxygen and exhale CO 2
The Carbon Cycle moves carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, through the food web, and returns to the atmosphere.
HUMAN PROCESSES Global climate change (human influenced increase in the greenhouse effect!) Humans release CO 2 through a number of factors, including the burning of fossil fuels NATURAL PROCESSES Volcanic Eruptionvolcanoes naturally emit CO 2 when eruptions occur Geological processes
Carbon is a naturally occurring part of our atmosphere-it is supposed to be there! The Greenhouse Effect-a naturally occurring effect that keeps our Earth warm; we need it to survive! Global Warming-human activities (like burning fossil fuels) are increasing CO 2 levels How do you think this would affect the carbon cycle? Think about it: How does the destruction of the ozone layer relate to global climate change?
How would the following scenarios impact the carbon cycle? 1. A city bulldozes ten acres of forest to develop a shopping mall. 2. A lumber mill plants two trees for every one that it harvests for wood. 3. Everyone in your neighborhood purchases and uses an additional, gas burning vehicle.
1. What is the difference between autotrophs and heterotrophs? What role do autotrophs play in the carbon cycle? 2. What types of environmental concerns are associated with the burning of fossil fuels? Hypothesize some methods to reduce these concerns.
Adaptation-Any trait an organism acquires over time that helps it survive in its environment Can be structural, behavioral, or reproductive Structural-Physical features an organism has that help it survive Behavioral-Something an organism does to help it survive Reproductive-An organism chooses the correct mate to reproduce and raise offspring
Transport and Excretion-Organisms maintain balance; move nutrients into cells and waste out In plants: Vascular and nonvascular Vascular Plants Nonvascular Plants Vascular tissue contains special cells for transport of water and nutrients Lack of roots and stems means plants must take water directly through their cells
Respiration-organisms take in and release gases (we will discuss more later) Nutrition-feeding adaptations that allow organisms to get nutrition Autotrophic Organisms that gain energy through making their own food (ex. Plants) Heterotrophic Organisms that gain energy through eating their food (ex. Us!!)
Reproduction, Growth, and Development-Organisms have adaptations to distribute their population Sexual Reproduction involving sex (needs a male and female) Asexual Reproduction without sex (can be 1 organism) Example: Seeds have a hard protective coating that allows them to survive some harsh conditions; some are small/prickly to allow transport
Behavioral adaptations can be innate or learned Innate= hard-wired; you are born knowing how to do this Learned=learned behavior either by interacting with the world or being taught!
Suckling-Babies are born knowing how suckle; adaptation allows them to be nourished Taxes/Taxis-movement of an organism in response to a stimulus (ex. Light or food) Migration-seasonal movement of animals in response to resource availability
Estivation-dormancy during the warm season Hibernation-dormancy during the cold season
Habituation-an animal stops responding to a stimulus after too much exposure Imprinting-Baby recognizes something as parent/objet of trust Classical conditioning-learning a new behavior through association (ex. Pavlov s dog) Trial and Error-Animal associates behaviors with the consequences they produce
1. Automatic behaviors, like moths traveling toward the light or babies suckling, are examples of what type of behavior? Why are these behaviors important? 2. Explain Pavlov s dog. How does this relate to learned behavior? 3. Explain how this video clip relates to what you have learned about behavior.
Atom Biome Biosphere Cell Community Ecosystem Molecule Organ Organ System Organism Population Tissue
1. Atom 2. Molecule 3. Cell 4. Tissue 5. Organ 6. Organ system 7. Organism 8. Population 9. Community 10. Ecosystem 11. Biome 12. Biosphere
Predator/Prey-one organism hunts and kills another organism for food Ex. The lion (predator) hunts the gazelle (prey) Competition-two organisms compete over a common resource (food, territory, etc.)
Symbiosis = organisms living together 3 Types of symbiotic relationships Mutualism Commensalism Parasitism
Mutualism = benefits both organisms in relationship https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xm2qdxvvrm4
Commensalism = one organism benefits and the other is unaffected Note: There is debate that commensalism is just early mutualism! Maybe we don t understand all the benefits?
Parasitism = one organism benefits and the other is harmed PARASITES (like viruses) don t immediately kill host use it first sometimes kill it later! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qn2xmyxas5o
Communication within society using pheromones-bees, ants, and wasps! Ex. Ants use pheromones to determine family members, to summon for attack/defense, and even to warn other ants when they are squashed Ex. Bees use pheromones to communicate and maintain organization in their colony
Courtship Dances-animals sometimes have rituals (may be a dance, vocalization, or display of beauty/power) in order to select a reproductive partner
Territorial Defense-animals may defend their territory against other organisms, in or outside of their species Ex. Male fighting fish will build a nest and maintain that territory during breeding season, acting particularly defensive against other males
1. In the animal kingdom, there are numerous species interactions. Label the following examples as either predator/prey, competition, or symbiosis. If it is symbiosis, further categorize as mutualism, commensalism, or parasitism. a) A hawk and a fox are fighting for the same food source: rabbits. b) A hummingbird picks up pollen for a flower and carries it to other flowers while it is getting nectar. c) The lion chases down and kills the gazelle for food. d) Barnacles attach themselves to whales and carry out their lives. The whale is unaffected. e) A tick sucks the blood of a dog.
Imagine you have a population of cheetahs and gazelles. 1. If a disease struck the cheetah population causing a drastic decline in number, what would happen to the gazelle population. Explain your answer. 2. If the cheetah population experiences an increase in birthrate, what would happen to the gazelle population? Explain your answer. 3. Describe a scenario that would cause an increase in the gazelle population.
Carrying capacity-the maximum population size an ecosystem can hold Based on limiting factors like food availability, climate, water, territory Predator/Prey relations can help maintain stability
What is the main difference between a population with an exponential graph vs. a logistic graph? Think about it: Under what circumstance(s) does an organism experience logistic growth? Exponential growth?
What happens to prey populations as prey increases? Decreases?
Which population is growing fastest?
What effect do you think the following would have on the population? Birth/death rates Lack of resources Diseases (like AIDS or tuberculosis)
Density Dependent Factors = factors in the ecosystem that can change as a result of the population density (# of organism in an area) Examples: Food Shelter Water Disease For example, more organisms might mean less food Think about it: How do the terms limiting factor and density dependent factor differ?
1. Draw a graph that illustrates a population that experiences logistic growth. 2. Label - The area of exponential growth - Carrying capacity 3. List three limiting factors that can force a population to stabilize.
1. Male peacocks spreading their feathers to impress a mate is which type of adaptation? a) Structural b) Behavioral c) Reproductive d) Embryological 2. In a forest ecosystem, which is an abiotic factor? a) The amount of rainfall b) The size of the deer c) The type of trees d) The number of birds
Humans have a large impact on ecosystems Population growth has led to destruction of habitats We use resources (trees, oil, coal, etc.) More humans=more waste Deforestation =human removal of trees; increased CO 2 leading to global warming Pesticide Use
Bioaccumulation-as pollutants move through a food chain, they tend to concentrate as they move from one level to the next
Invasive species-not a natural part of the ecosystem Invasive species have no natural predators Reproduce out of control! Ex. The Kudzu vine
Acid rain effects-pollution can react with the atmosphere to produce acid rain; can affect many areas!-destroys plant life Beach erosion Urban development in Piedmont-leads to habitat destruction Waste lagoons on hog farms-hog waste contaminates streams and drinking water
Habitat and species preservation Endangered Species Act Zoology and Reintroduction Programs Nature preserves Reaching Sustainability Using resources wisely Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
1. Explain why it is a poor idea to release your pair of aquarium lionfish into the Currituck Sound. 2. Explain why parents should limit the amount of tuna that young children consume. 3. Explain how acid rain is produced and why it is a problem in areas outside of the origin of the pollutant.
1. What could happen if the human population continued to grow exponentially? Think about it in terms of limiting factors, like natural resources. 2. What is an invasive species? Why are they a concern? 3. What is bioaccumulation?