Name___________________________________

Fast Facts 11 Ecology: Levels of Organization

Within the environment there are both biotic and abiotic factors

BIOTIC: something that is living or once lived. Ex: animals, plants, decomposing leaves

ABIOTIC: something that is not living nor has it ever lived. Ex: water, sunlight, heat, pH, temperature, oxygen, carbon dioxide, rocks, sand Levels of organization of the living world include the individual organism, populations, communities, ecosystems, and biomes. Each level is defined by the type and number of organisms or the abiotic factors present. 6. Biosphere: The most complex level of organization that refers to the Earth. It is made up of many biomes.

5. BIOME: ecosystems grouped together according to climate and the main vegetation; characterized by adaptations of organisms to that particular environment. Ex: taiga, deserts, or tropical rainforest

4. ECOSYSTEMS: One or more communities in an area and the abiotic factors, including water, sunlight, oxygen, temperature, and soil. Ex: all the communities and the soil, water, oxygen

3. COMMUNITIES: All the different populations in a specific area or region at a certain time. Interactions among the populations of a community include obtaining and use of food, space, or other environmental resources. Ex: all of the caribou, moose, grasses, and trees

2. POPULATIONS: All of the individuals of a given species in a specific area or region at a certain time. Members of a population compete for food, water, space, and mates

Ex: All of the caribou in the herd

1. INDIVIDUAL ORGANISM: The living being that is made up of many different organ systems functioning together. Ex: The single largest caribou in the herd

Within an ecosystem, organisms have specific places where their needs are met and specific roles within the ecosystem.

HABITAT: The place where an organism lives in order to obtain food, water, shelter and other things needed for survival. Ex: the habitat of a bee is a meadow.

NICHE: The particular role of an organism in its environment

including type of food it eats, how it obtains its food and how it interacts with other organisms. Ex: the niche of a bee is to pollinate flowers as it gathers nectar for its food.

Fast Facts Ecology: Energy Flow in Ecosystems

Organisms have ENERGY ROLES that are determined by how the organism obtains its energy and interacts with other organisms in the environment.

PRODUCER

An organism that creates its own food

through photosynthesis.

Ex:

plants, Euglena

CONSUMER An organism that obtains energy by eating other organisms.

HERBIVORE: a consumer that eats only plant matter Ex: rabbit, squirrel, cow

OMNIVORE: a consumer that eats both plants and animal matter Ex: raccoon, human, bear

CARNIVORE: a consumer that eats only animal matter Ex: lion, hawk, snake

SCAVENGER: a carnivore that eats dead organisms Ex: vulture

DECOMPOSER

A consumer that feeds on dead organisms

recycling the nutrients back into the earth.

Ex: earthworms, mushrooms, dung

beetles

The flow of energy in an environment can be represented using the following diagrams:

FOOD CHAIN

Shows the movement of energy through the TROPHIC LEVELS using

pictures/words and arrows

Arrows point in the direction that energy travels…

NOT from predator to prey

TROPHIC LEVELS (TL) indicate the position an organism occupies in the food chain—what it eats and what eats it.

Producers: always TL 1 because they are the first organism on any food chain

Herbivores: always TL 2 because they only eat producers.

Omnivores: TL 2 or higher because they can eat producers or consumers

Carnivores: TL 3 or higher because they eat consumers

Decomposers: TL2 or higher because they can decompose producers or consumers

FOOD WEBS

Interconnecting food chains using pictures or words and arrows.

Food webs describe the complex patterns of energy flow in an ecosystem by modeling who consumes whom or what.

Arrows point in the direction that energy travels…

NOT from predator to prey

ENERGY PYRAMIDS

Show the amount of energy that moves from one trophic level to

another in a food chain. The most energy is available at the producer level of the pyramid. Energy availability decreases as it moves up the energy pyramid.

Approximately 10% of the energy from the previous trophic level moves up to the next trophic level.

Name__________________________

Fast Facts 12 Ecology: Changes in Environment due to Natural Hazards

Changes in the environment can occur due to NATURAL HAZARDS. This affects the amount of resources available in the

environment, leading to COMPETITION among organisms for food, water, space, or shelter.

LANDSLIDES

Large areas of ground movement of rock, earth, or debris that fall, slide, or flow on slopes due to gravity.

They can occur in any environment given the right conditions of soil, moisture, and the angle of slope.

Causes:

Heavy rains

Floods

Earthquakes

Excessive Development

Clearcutting Forests

Effects:

Blocking roads

Damaging homes

Disrupting power lines

Destroying natural habitats

WILDFIRES

A sweeping and destructive fire found in the wilderness especially in grassland ecosystems.

Causes:

Lightning strikes

Humans (accidental or intentional)

Effect:

Causes some seeds to germinate (begin to grow) because fire is required in the life cycle of some organisms.

Increased air pollution

Habitat destruction

Property damage

FLOODS

A flood is an unusually high water stage in which water overflows its natural or artificial banks onto normally dry land.

There are two basic types of floods:

REGULAR RIVER FLOOD: water slowly climbs over the edges of a river.

FLASH FLOOD: more dangerous, a wall of water quickly sweeps over an area.

Causes:

Heavy rainfall

Urbanization, or lots of buildings and parking lots

Over-saturated soil (ground cannot hold anymore water)

Effects:

Damaging property

Endangering humans and animals

Soil erosion

Deposition of sediment and nutrients (results in fertile soil)

Fast Facts Ecology: Changes in Environment due to Changes in Populations

Changes in the environment can occur due to CHANGES IN POPULATIONS which result when members enter or leave a population. This will have an effect on the POPULATION DENSITY-the number of organisms in the given amount of space.

BIRTHS AND DEATHS

BIRTHS-the main way that organisms enter a population.

(Populations increase in #)

BIRTH RATE-number of births in a population during a certain amount of time

DEATHS-the main way that organisms leave a population.

(Populations decrease in #)

DEATH RATE-number of deaths in a population during a certain amount of time

In the examples, the birth rate is higher than the death rate. There are more births/year

than deaths/year. The result is that the population increases.

IMMIGRATION & EMIGRATION

IMMIGRATION-when organisms move into a population from another environment.

(Populations increase in #)

EMIGRATION-when organisms leave a population to go to a different environment.

(Populations decrease in #)

LIMITING FACTORS

Any resource (food, water, space, shelter, etc.) that exists in a smaller amount than what

the population requires.

Limiting factors limit the number of organisms that can

survive in a given area by forcing the organisms to COMPETE for resources.

Those that get the resources will live. Those that do not get

the resources will die or emigrate.

CARRYING CAPACITY-

the maximum number of organisms that can survive in a

particular ecosystem

CLIMATE

The temperature and amount of rainfall in a particular environment

Changes in temperature and the amount of rainfall from what is normal for

that area can change an environment. This will have an effect on the

populations in the area. This is why you hear

scientists and the media talking about

Global Warming and Global Climate Change.

Changes in populations effect the POPULATION DENSITY-the number of organisms in the given amount of space.

Example: There are 25 polar bears in a 10 mile x 10 mile area. What is the population density of polar bears?

If the climate gets warmer, the ice melts and the bears can no longer hunt. Ice has become a limiting factor. As a result, 10 bears die and 5 bears emigrate (leaving 10 polar bears in the population). The new population density is…

Name ___________________________

Example: 20 cows are born in 4 years

Birth Rate=20 cows/4 years

Birth Rate = 5 cows/year

Example: 8 cows die in 4 years

Death Rate=8 cows/4 years

Death Rate = 2 cows/year

Example:

If 5 people immigrate into a population, and 7 people emigrate from that same population,

then the population will decrease by 2 people.

(+5) + (-7) = -2

Fast Facts 13 Ecology: Soil

SOIL is one of the most valuable abiotic factors in an ecosystem. Everything that lives on land depends on the Soil Quality (a combination of the soil properties listed below).

SOIL COMPOSITION A mixture of rock particles, minerals, decayed organic material (HUMUS), air and water

Formation of Soil

The sand, silt, and clay portion of soil comes from weathered bedrock

material.

Effect of Soil Composition on Organisms

The combination of sand, silt, clay, humus, water, etc. in soil determines the soil type/texture and affects the types of plants that can grow in it or

animals that can live in it. Ex: Cacti and Earthworms will not live in

soggy soils.

Effect of Biotic and Abiotic Factors on Soil Composition

Factors that may affect soil: types of plants, climate, time, slope of land.

Ex: Soils in really dry climate will not have a lot of water in its composition. Soils with lots of decomposers in it may

have a high humus content.

SOIL PROFILE All the HORIZONS (layers) above bedrock that make up soil

TOPSOIL Top layer of a soil profile.

Generally dark in color and nutrient rich, with a mixture of

humus, clay, and minerals. most suitable for plant growth, and

most animals live in the topsoil.

SUBSOIL The second layer in a soil profile. It is located directly beneath the

topsoil.

PARENT MATERIAL

The third layer in a soil profile. It contains the least amount of

nutrients and is located directly above the bedrock.

PARTICLE SIZE Soil particles are classified by size ranging from gravel to sand to silt, and finally to the smallest particle, clay.

Particle size affects the amount of water that can be absorbed and used by

plants and animals.

Soils that have large particles (gravel and sand) will not hold as much water as soils

made of mostly clay and silt.

Particle size affects permeability and texture

TEXTURE The name given to classify soil based on the relative proportions of sand, silt, clay, gravel that make up the soil.

Depending on the percent of sand, silt, and clay in the soil composition, the soil texture may be loam, sandy clay loam,

silt loam, or clay

LOAM Soil that is made up of about equal

parts of sand, silt, and clay.

Texture (based on particle size) affects the amount of water that soil can hold.

PERMEABILITY How freely water flows through the soil’s PORE SPACES (open spaces between soil particles).

PORE SPACE

Permeability is measured in time. Ex: One liter of water is poured onto two

different soil samples, A and B. Sample A drains the water in 5 minutes. Sample B drains the water in 8 minutes.

Sample A is considered more permeable than Sample B because it

drains the water faster.

The closer the particles pack together (smaller particle sizes), the less

permeable the soil is.

PH How acidic or basic a soil is. pH is measured on a scale of 1-14, but is usually between 4-10.

Most plants grow best in soils with pH 5-7

If the pH is not suitable, nutrients will be inaccessible to the organisms.

LIME-a fertilizer that alters pH in order to

make the soil nutrients more accessible.

Should soil quality change in any of its properties, the ecosystem (including life forms) will also change.

Fast Facts Ecology: Water

SURFACE WATER

Any water that stays on the surface of the ground without soaking into it. Ex: rivers, runoff, ocean

RUNOFF-water that travels downhill as a result of

gravity eventually forms into streams and rivers.

Streams, rivers, ponds, and lakes are bodies of water where the water table (see Groundwater)

reaches above the ground. Deltas-the landform that is made when a river meets as still body of water (lake or ocean).

Unique ecosystems form in delta regions, like SC’s Santee delta or Louisiana’s Mississippi delta.

Flowing water can erode the land in one location

and deposit the sediments in another. The floodplain of a river may deposit sediment after

heavy rains enriching the area with new soil needed for growing vegetation. This new soil is

nutrient rich.

WATERSHED/DRAINAGE BASIN

An area of land that is drained by a river and all its tributaries (smaller streams that empty into

another river)

All the water that organisms need within an ecosystem is provided by the water within the

drainage basin.

DIVIDE-the high ground between two drainage basins/watersheds. Ex: Mountain range

By marking rivers and all the tributaries of that river, the watershed on a map can be identified.

Ex: The map of South Carolina shows different watersheds marked in different colors. The divides are represented by the thick, dark

lines in between each color.

GROUNDWATER

Water that soaks into the ground. It is naturally purified as it soaks through the soil layers.

PERMEABLE- when water is allowed to pass through. Soil and rock in the zones of aeration and saturation are permeable because water can pass through their pore spaces.

The pathway of groundwater: Falls as precipitation Enters into the ZONE OF AERATION-the part of the soil that does not have water in its pore spaces. Keeps moving deeper into Earth until it reaches a layer of rock that is not permeable (bedrock). Begins to fill in the ZONE OF SATURATION-soil above bedrock that is saturated (has water filling its pore spaces.)

WATER TABLE-the top of zone of saturation. Groundwater can also flow slowly through the underground rock or be stored in underground layers called AQUIFERS.

Human Consumption (Use) of Water

Earth is 71% water with 3% freshwater. Since much of the freshwater is in the form of ice, very little is left as “usable” freshwater for humans.

Human beings are dependent upon water: survival (drinking, food, minerals, etc) , agriculture (#1 use of water worldwide), recreation, hydroelectric power, and industry (#2 use of water worldwide).

Name ________________________________

Fast Facts 14 Ecology: Resources

RESOURCE Anything that is used by organisms. NATURAL RESOURCES are provided by the environment.

RENEWABLE RESOURCES Replaced through natural processes at a rate that is equal to or greater than the rate at which they are being used.

Air

Depleted through pollution

It is replenished and purified by plants

during photosynthesis. They

remove carbon dioxide from the air and replace it with

oxygen.

Water

Depleted through

increased demand

wasteful use

pollution

It is replenished and

purified by the water cycle.

Soil

Depleted through erosion, especially when land has no

vegetation.

Replenished when topsoil is formed by weathering rock and

decomposition of organisms (new soil forms very slowly).

Living Things Organisms

Depleted through death caused by

over-use

over-hunting

clear cutting

Replenished through

reproduction.

Sunlight or Solar Energy

Considered a

renewable resource because it will be

available for billions of years. It provides a source of energy for

all processes on Earth.

NON-RENEWABLE RESOURCES Are exhaustible (can be used up) because they are being extracted and used at a much faster rate than the rate at which

they were formed. They exist in a fixed amount and can only be replaced by processes that take millions of years.

FOSSIL FUELS Non-renewable resources that are formed by the natural

process of decomposition of dead, buried organisms.

Other Non-renewable Resources

Coal

Oil Used to make plastic

Natural gas Diamonds Metals Minerals

CONSERVATION the careful utilization of a natural resource in order to prevent depletion.

REDUCE not using a resource when there is an

alternative

Example: walking or riding a bicycle rather than using fossil fuels by

traveling in a car.

REUSE using a resource (or product from a

resource) again without reprocessing it

Example: washing a drinking glass to use again rather than throwing away a plastic or Styrofoam cup and getting a second.

RECYCLE reprocessing a resource (or

product from a resource) so that the materials can be used again as

another item Example: scrap metal from an old

lawnmower gets recycled into making nails

MATTER Atom - smallest part of an element that has the chemical properties of the element; a

single atom has mass and takes up space (volume)

Elements - One kind of atom; pure substances that cannot be changed into simpler substances.

Molecule - Two or more atoms combine of the same type (H2 ) or different types (CO2

) of atoms).

Compounds - Pure substances that are composed of two or more types of elements that are chemically combined; can only be changed into simpler substances called elements by chemical changes

Mixtures- two or more different substances that retain their own individual properties and are combined physically (mixed together); can be separated by physical means (filtration, sifting, or evaporation).

Homogeneous mixture – a solution that is uniform (one form) throughout, the substances are evenly mixed and cannot be visibly distinguished; the particles of the substances are so small that they cannot be easily seen.

Heterogeneous mixture - not uniform throughout, the component substances can be visibly distinguished.

Element Symbol

Na -Sodium

Cl -Chlorine

H - Hydrogen

O - Oxygen

C - Carbon

N - Nitrogen

Compounds

H2 – Hydrogen gas

O2 – Oxygen gas

N2 – Nitrogen gas

CO2 – Carbon Dioxide

H2O – Water

C6H12O6 – Glucose

Physical properties of METALS:

Luster—Having a shiny surface or reflecting light brightly

Conductors—Heat and electricity move through them easily

Malleable—Ability to be hammered into different shapes

Ductile—Ability to be drawn into a wire

High density—Heavy for their size

Physical properties of NONMETALS:

Dull—Not shiny

Nonconductors—Heat and electricity do not move through them easily

Brittle—Break or shatter easily (solids)

Physical properties can be observed & measured without changing the kind of matter being studied Melting Point Temperature when a solid changes to a liquid.

The temperature at which a pure substance melts is unchanging under constant conditions & can be used as a property for identification. Ex: Ice melts to form liquid water at 00C (32oF).

Boiling Point

Temperature when a liquid boils and a liquid changes to a gas.

Boiling - liquid starts to form bubbles throughout, which grow larger, rise to the surface, and burst.

The temperature at which a pure substance boils is unchanging under constant conditions & can be used as a property for identification. Ex: pure water boiling point at sea level is 100oC or 212oF.

Density = Mass Volume

Substances that are denser contain more matter in a given volume.

Density of a substance remains constant (the same) no matter how large or small the sample of the substance; therefore, density can be used for identification of the substance. Ex: gold is a very heavy, dense metal; the density of goal is much greater than the density of the very light metal - aluminum.

Color or absence of color

Can be used to help identify a substance, along with other properties but it is not a significant identifier of a substance.

Chemical Properties

changes the kind of matter

The ability to burn (burning)

Involves a substance reacting quickly with oxygen to produce light and heat.

The ability to rust (rusting)

Involves a substance reacting slowly with oxygen.

Atomic Number Element’s Symbol Element’s Name Atomic Mass (amu)

6

C Carbon 12.011

Family – Group/Column

share properties

Period - Row

Periodic Table

Reactant

Substances broken apart or combined in a chemical reaction

Product

New substances formed in a chemical reaction

Law of conservation of matter

Total mass of Reactants = Total mass of Products

Matter can neither be created nor destroyed, but can be changed in form.

Physical Change

- do not change the composition of a substance, only the physical properties.

Evidence of a physical change include:

Change in state of matter

Substance changes from one state of matter to another Ex: changing from solid to liquid, from liquid to solid, or from liquid to gas. Ex: melting of ice cream, hardening of melted wax, or evaporating of water from wet clothes.

Change in size or shape

Substance changes in size or shape (cutting, tearing, dissolving, stretching, or wrinkling)

Ex: shredding paper, dissolving sugar in water, stretching a rubber band,

wadding up a piece of paper, or denting a piece of metal. Color change

Without a chemical change; Ex: adding food coloring to water.

Temperature change (w/addition or removal of energy)

Increase or decrease in temperature, Ex: warming of the water in a pond).

Formation of a gas (w/addition or removal of energy)

It is possible to form gas without a chemical change; Ex: when water is heated to boiling.

Chemical Change Formation of one or more NEW SUBSTANCES

with new chemical and physical properties.

Evidence that a chemical change include: Color change

A substance changes color; Ex: iron turns to a reddish-brown when it rusts, clothes change color when bleach is added, apples turn brown when they react w/ oxygen in the air, or marshmallows turn black when burned.

Temperature change (w/o addition of/or removal of energy)

Increase or decrease in temperature; Ex: when wood burns to ash and gases, the temperature increases.

Formation of a precipitate

When two solutions are combined, they may form a solid substance. This solid substance is called a precipitate and indicates that a chemical change has occurred.

Example: when carbon dioxide is combined with aqueous calcium hydroxide (limewater), solid calcium carbonate (chalk) is formed as the precipitate.

The precipitate may be in the form of very small particles, appearing as cloudiness in the solution or as a solid which settles to the bottom of the container.

Formation of a gas

When solid or liquid substances are combined, they may form gas bubbles.

Ex: when vinegar is added to baking soda, it forms carbon dioxide bubbles.

Chemical Reaction: Photosynthesis

CO2 + H2O O2 + C6H12O6

Acid pH 1 - 6 sour taste (Example: lemons and oranges

contain acids);

reaction with some metals such as zinc form H2 gas

reaction with bases to form a neutral pH solution (Ex: vinegar reacting with limestone).

Litmus paper turns red Phenolphthalein stays clear

pH paper - check vial

Neutral Solution - pH 7 Neither an acid nor a base.

Ex: pure H2O

Litmus paper turns violet

Phenolphthalein stays clear

pH paper - check vial

Base: pH 8 - 14 their bitter taste (Ex: unsweetened cocoa

has a bitter taste);

their slippery feel (Ex: dish detergent;

treaction with acids to form a neutral pH solution (Ex: an antacid to soothe an acid

stomach).

Litmus paper turns blue

Phenolphthalein turns pink

pH paper - check vial

Fast Facts #6

Circulatory System

Circulatory System Functions:

1. To move nutrients, gases and wastes to and from cells.

2. To help fight disease.

3. To maintain homeostasis. (Homeostasis – balance in the body)

Organ System:

Circulatory System

Organs:

Heart – pumps blood throughout the body

Arteries – carries blood to cells containing oxygen and nutrients

Capillaries – exchanges needed materials for waste materials from blood to cells

Veins – carries blood back to heart containing waste materials

Tissues:

Cardiac Muscle: Heart

Smooth Muscle: Blood Vessels

Connective: Blood ( liquid that carries needed and waste materials to and from cells)

Cell Types:

Red Blood Cells

White Blood Cells

Components of Blood:

Plasma – clear liquid

White Blood Cells – fight disease

Red Blood Cells – carry oxygen

Platelets – help blood to clot

Relationship:

Circulatory System works with all other

systems by transporting materials.

Heart

Respiratory System

Respiratory System Functions:

1. Exchanges Oxygen gas and Carbon Dioxide gas inside your body.

Organs:

Nose – collects, warms, and moistens the air

Trachea – moves air to your bronchial tubes

Bronchi – tubes that connect the trachea to the lungs

Alveoli – sacs in the lungs where the gas exchange occurs

Lungs – main organ of the respiratory system

Diaphragm – muscle that allows your lungs to expand and deflate

Larynx – Voice Box

Pharynx – Throat

Excretory System

Relationship:

Respiratory System works with the

Circulatory System to transport gases.

• The main function of the excretory system is to filter out waste, toxins, and excess water that result from cellular respiration.

• The circulatory system works with the excretory system to help remove waste from the body.

• There are 4 major organs you need to remember for the excretory system.

• Your two kidneys get rid of urea, excess water, and some other waste materials released by the cells. These are eliminated as urine.

• Ureters are tubes which connect each kidney to the bladder.

• The bladder is a saclike muscular organ which stores urine until it is released from the body.

B – Kidney

C – Vein

D – Ureter

E – Bladder

F - Urethra

Nose

Pathogens

organisms

that could

cause disease.

Protist

Classified into the

Kingdom Protista

One celled organisms that

live in moist

environments

Classified by the way they

move and obtain food

Fungi

Can be one celled or

many celled

Shape is strand-like

Bacteria

Classified into the

Kingdom Moneran

One celled organisms

Classified by their body

shape

Virus

Tiny particles much

smaller than bacteria.

Are considered nonliving

until they infect another

organism.

Spirilla (Spiral)

Spiral shaped bacteria

Bacillus

Rod shaped bacteria

Cocci

Round shaped bacteria

Amoeba

Move and eat using a

pseudopod

Pseudopod – false foot

Euglena

Moves using flagella

Has characteristics of plant

(chloroplast) and animal

(movement) cells

Flagella – Tail

Paramecium

Moves and eats using cilia

Cilia – tiny hairs

Fast Fact #2

Cells and Pathogens

mitochondria

vacuole

cytoplasm

a

nucleus

cell membrane

cell membrane

cell wall

chloroplast

nucleus

mitochondria

vacuole

cytoplasm

a

• Cell – basic unit of life

• Organelles – tiny cell structures that carry out

certain functions inside the cell

• Cell Membrane – forms the outside barrier that

separates the cell from its environment

(controls what comes into and goes out of the

cell – selectively permeable)

• Nucleus – the cells control center. It contains

the genetic material (DNA). Usually located in

the center of the cell.

• Cytoplasm – region between the cell membrane

and the nucleus (constantly moving)

• Mitochondria – “powerhouses” of the cell,

because they produce the energy for the cell

• Vacuoles – the storage area of the cell. Some

store water; others store waste.

• Animal cell = many small

• Plant cell = 1 large vacuole

• Cell Wall – surrounds plant cells and bacterial

cells, to surround and protect the cell

• Chloroplasts – capture energy from sunlight

and use it to produce food for the cell (only in

plant cell)

Cell Processes – keep the cell alive and allow the organism to survive

Diffusion – is the process by which molecules tend to move from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower

concentration. Example- Air Freshener

Osmosis – the diffusion of water molecules through a selectively permeable membrane.

Photosynthesis - Plants use light energy (sunlight) to combine carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O)to make glucose (C6H12O6)

and release oxygen gas (O2). Occurs in the chloroplasts. 6CO2 + 6H2O SL C6H12O6 + 6O2

Respiration - All organisms including plants and animals, break down glucose (C6H12O6) and oxygen (O2) into carbon dioxide

(CO2) and water (H2O) and release energy. Occurs in the mitochondria. C6H12O6 + 6O2 6CO2 + 6H2O + energy

Mitosis – cell reproduction. Occurs in the nucleus

Waste Disposal or Elimination - Organisms rid the cells of waste products that could be harmful to the cell.

Fast Facts #5

Digestive System

Digestive Functions:

1. Break down food into nutrients

2. Absorb nutrients into bloodstream

3. Get rid of solid waste

Digestion – the process of breaking down food

Mechanical Digestion – physical breakdown of food (tongue, teeth, stomach)

Chemical Digestion – chemical breakdown of food (saliva, stomach acid [HCl], bile)

Nutrients – chemicals your body needs to grow and liver

Carbohydrates, Protein, Vitamins, Minerals, Water, and Fat

Organs Functions Picture

Mouth Chewing food and saliva mixes with food.

Esophagus Tube that connects the mouth and stomach

Stomach Secretes stomach acid to continue digesting food and churns and mixes the food

Small Intestines Most chemical digestion occurs in the small intestine. Nutrients except water are absorbed.

Large Intestines Water is absorbed out of the remaining “food”.

Rectum Stores solid waste

Anus Exit for solid waste

Liver Produces bile, which is used to break up fat

Gallbladder Stores bile produced by the liver

Pancreas Produces insulin which is used to process sugar and carbohydrates.

Mouth

Fast Facts #3

Genetics

Genetics - the scientific study of heredity.

Gregor Mendel is considered the “father of genetics”.

1851 – he grew pea plants and experimented with genetics.

Gregor Mendel crossed pea plants that had different traits.

Traits – physical characteristics (hair color, height, eye color, face shape)

Heredity – the passing of traits from one generation to another, or inheritance.

Chromosome – structure found in the nucleus of a cell that contains the genetic information (DNA).

Offspring may have the same traits as their parents because genetic information (DNA) is passed from

parent to offspring during sexual reproduction.

Each sex cell (sperm or egg) of the parent organism contains 1/2 of the genetic material needed to

create a new organism.

Gene – a segment of DNA found on a chromosome that determines the inheritance of a trait. Genes for

a trait come in pairs.

Allele – one gene from the pair.

Genotype – the set of genes carried by the organism. Example: BB

Phenotype – the physical expression of the genes. Example: Brown Eyes

Inherited Traits – are characteristics that are passed from parents to offspring. There are two types of

traits.

Dominant Trait – A trait will always be expressed in the phenotype (physical experience). Dominant

Alleles are showed by capital letters. B – brown eyes

Recessive Trait – A trait will only be expressed in the phenotype (physical experience) if two recessive

alleles are present. Recessive Alleles are showed by using lowercase letters. b – green eyes

Always use the first letter of the dominant trait. B = Brown Eyes

Probability – the likelihood that a particular event will happen

Punnett Square – a tool used to determine the probability of gene combinations based on the genes of

the parent.

A cross that shows the inheritance of a single characteristic is a monohybrid cross.

An organism with two alleles that are the same is called homozygous (purebred). Example: TT or tt

An organism that has two different alleles for a trait is called heterozygous (hybrid). Example Tt

Using a Punnett Square:

Parent 1: TT or Tall pea plant

Parent 2: tt or Short pea plant

T T

t

t

Offspring: 4/4 tall or 100% Tt or all tall pea plants

Inherited trait – trait that is passed from parents to offspring

Examples: Flower Color, Eye Color, Dimples, Hair Color

Environmental traits – can be influenced by the environment

Examples: Temeperature, Nutrients, Injury, Disease, Sun Exposure, Living Conditions

Parent 1

Parent 2

Tt

Tt

Tt

Tt

Offspring

possibilities are

inside the boxes

Name __________________________________

Fast Fact Sheet 7 Nervous System and Diseases

Relationships of the Nervous System with other organ systems:

Nervous system controls the functions of EVERY OTHER SYSTEM and their organs. o Ex: works with the muscular and skeletal systems to direct behavior and movement. o Ex: controls internal processes in the body (for example digestion and circulation).

Nervous system requires nutrients from digestion, gas exchange from respiratory system, and the circulatory system carries all the nutrients, gases, and wastes to/from the organs of the nervous system.

LEVEL OF ORGANIZATION

NAME FUNCTION

CELL

NEURON

DENDRITES

CELL BODY

NUCLEUS

AXON

The basic unit of structure and function within the nervous system. These cells perform the function of transmitting signals (like pain, sensation, etc) throughout the body. There are 4 main parts of the neuron that you need to know:

Part of the neuron that receive impulses/signals and passes them to the cell body.

The part of the neuron that contains all the cell’s organelles

The control center of the neuron. Contains the DNA.

Part of the neuron that carries impulses/signals away from the cell body to the dendrites of the next neuron.

TISSUE NERVE TISSUE Carries impulses back and forth between the brain and the body

ORGAN

BRAIN

CEREBRUM

CEREBELLUM

BRAIN STEM

Part of central nervous system and serves to control and coordinate the activities of the body. It’s made up of 3 parts:

Part of the brain that controls thoughts, voluntary actions, and the sensations related to the five senses.

Part of the brain that helps with balance and coordination.

Part of the brain located at the base of the brain and controls vital and involuntary processes (ex: breathing, heart beat, digestion, etc).

SPINAL CORD

A bundle of nerves that begins at the brain stem and continues down the center of the back through the vertebrae. It is part of the central nervous system, but it connects peripheral nerves to central nervous system

ORGAN SYSTEM

NERVOUS

SYSTEM

CNS

PNS

Receive stimuli from inside and outside the body

To interpret the stimuli

Initiate responses for survival

It is broken into 2 main sections: CENTRAL NERVOUS

SYSTEM (CNS) AND THE PERIPHERAL NERVOUS

SYSTEM (PNS):

Made up of the Brain and Spinal Cord

Made up of the Peripheral nerves… branch out from the spinal cord and connect to the rest of the body and transmit signals to and from the brain through the spinal cord.

DISEASE

a condition that does not allow the body to function normally. They can affect individual organs or entire body systems. The IMMUNE SYSTEM is responsible for fighting diseases.

INFECTIOUS DISEASES… are caused by tiny organisms called PATHOGENS:

1. BACTERIA 3. PROTIST 2. FUNGUS 4. VIRUS

and can be passed to people through:

1. OTHER INFECTED PEOPLE 3. AN ANIMAL BITE 2. A CONTAMINATED OBJECT 4. THE ENVIRONMENT

NON-INFECTIOUS DISEASES…

are NOT caused by pathogens in the body and are NOT spread from organism to organism.

They ARE caused by malfunctions in body systems that are

either inherited or caused by environmental factors.

COLD PATHOGEN: Virus SYSTEM IT ATTACKS: Respiratory SYMPTOMS: sore throat, runny nose, fever as a result of

virus attacking mucous membranes HOW IS IT SPREAD: people, contaminated objects TREATMENT: No antibiotics

DIABETES CAUSE: inability to either produce or use properly insulin, a

chemical produced in the body. SYSTEM IT ATTACKS: Digestive, circulatory SYMPTOMS: glucose (sugar) level of the blood being higher

than the normal range. Can lead to kidney disease, heart disease, vision problems

TREATMENT: insulin shots, diet control

INFLUENZA (aka FLU) PATHOGEN: Virus SYSTEM IT ATTACKS: Respiratory SYMPTOMS: Fever, muscle aches, severe sore throat and

cough, lasts longer than a cold (usually) HOW IS IT SPREAD: people, contaminated objects TREATMENT: No antibiotics

PARKINSON’S DISEASE CAUSE: nerve cells in the brain stop functioning properly

SYSTEM IT ATTACKS: Nervous and muscular SYMPTOMS: Severe shaking (tremors) and movement

disabilities

TREATMENT: No cure

AIDS

(Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome)

PATHOGEN: Virus SYSTEM IT ATTACKS: Immune System SYMPTOMS: body can’t fight off other diseases HOW IS IT SPREAD: people, contaminated object TREATMENT: No cure

SKIN CANCER CAUSE: damage to skin

cells due to ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun or tanning beds; heredity

SYSTEM IT ATTACKS: integumentary

SYMPTOMS: moles and other dark spots on skin

TREATMENT: surgical removal of cancer

ATHLETE’S FOOT PATHOGEN: Fungus SYSTEM IT ATTACKS: Integumentary SYMPTOMS: Dry, itchy feet HOW IS IT SPREAD: people,

contaminated objects, environment TREATMENT: Anti-fungal creams/sprays

ASTHMA CAUSE: Inflamation of bronchi (airways) due to dust, mold,

pets, exercise, or cold weather SYSTEM IT ATTACKS: Respiratory SYMPTOMS: wheezing and difficulty breathing TREATMENT: Medicated inhalers that relax muscles in

airways.

STREP THROAT PATHOGEN: Bacteria (streptococcus) SYSTEM IT ATTACKS: respiratory SYMPTOMS: fever, pain, redness, and

swelling of throat and tonsils HOW IS IT SPREAD: people, contaminated object TREATMENT: antibiotics

Fast Facts 4

Levels of Organization

CELLS

• The basic units of structure and function within the human body.

• Though all cells perform the processes that keep humans alive, they also have specialized functions as well.

• Examples: nerve cells (neurons), blood cells, and bone cells

TISSUES

• A group of specialized cells that work together to perform the same

function.

Nerve Tissue – carries impulses back and forth to the brain from the body.

Muscle Tissue –contracts and shortens, making body parts move

• Cardiac muscle – heart

• Smooth muscle – other organs

• Skeletal muscle – Muscles to move

• Epithelial Tissue – covers the surfaces of the body, inside (as lining and/or covering of internal organs) and

outside (as a layer of skin).

• Connective Tissue – connects all parts of the body and provides support

o Tendons

o Ligaments

o Cartilage

ORGANS

• A group of two or more different types of tissue that work together to perform a specific function.

• For example, the heart is made of muscle and connective tissue which function to pump blood throughout the

body.

ORGAN SYSTEMS

• A group of two or more organs that work together to perform a specific function.

• Each system has its own function, but the systems work together and depend on one another.

• There are eleven different organ systems in the human body:

• Circulatory Muscular Immune Excretory

• Digestive Nervous Integumentary Respiratory

• Endocrine Reproductive Skeletal

Integumentary System

Functions:

• It covers the body and prevents the loss of water.

• It protects the body from infection and injury.

• It helps to regulate body temperature.

• It gets rid of wastes (sweat)

• It receives information from the environment.

• Produces Vitamin D.

Organs:

Skin

Muscular System

Functions:

To provide movement for the body.

Organs:

Muscles

o Cardiac – Involuntary (Heart)

o Skeletal – Voluntary (Connected to Bone)

o Smooth - Involuntary (Other Organs)

Skeletal System

Functions:

Providing support for the body

Protecting internal organs

Providing attachment sites for muscles

Produces Blood

Stores Minerals

Organs:

Bones

Tendon (connects muscles to bones)

Ligament (connect bones to bones)

Cartilage (protective covering on ends of bones)

System Relationships

Muscular and skeletal systems work together to help the body move.

Muscles control movement of organs from other systems.

Integumentary system protects other systems

Red blood cells from the circulatory system are produced in bones (skeletal system).

Voluntary Muscles - muscles that you are

able to control

Involuntary Muscles – muscles that you

cannot control consciously