Unit 4 Section 1Unit 4 Section 1

EcologyEcology

BiosphereBiosphere

• All life on Earth and all parts of the All life on Earth and all parts of the Earth where life existsEarth where life exists– Includes land, water and atmosphereIncludes land, water and atmosphere

EcologyEcology

• Ecology – Ecology – the scientific study of the the scientific study of the interactions between organisms and interactions between organisms and their physical environment.their physical environment.– Environment Environment – all conditions or factors – all conditions or factors

surrounding an organism.surrounding an organism.– Environment includes two main types of Environment includes two main types of

factors:factors:• Biotic factors Biotic factors – living factors in the environment– living factors in the environment

– Example: Example: fish, snails, algae and plantsfish, snails, algae and plants

• Abiotic factors Abiotic factors – non-living factors in the – non-living factors in the environmentenvironment

– Example: Example: water, gravel, temperature, lightwater, gravel, temperature, light

Energy, Producers and Energy, Producers and consumersconsumers

• Energy is needed for growth, reproduction Energy is needed for growth, reproduction and all processes in the bodyand all processes in the body– Without energy we cannot live!!!Without energy we cannot live!!!

• Where does all energy on Earth come Where does all energy on Earth come from?from?– The sun!!!The sun!!!– Only certain organisms can capture energy Only certain organisms can capture energy

from the sun and convert it into a form they can from the sun and convert it into a form they can useuse• These include These include algae, certain bacteria and plantsalgae, certain bacteria and plants• Energy is converted into a form living cells can useEnergy is converted into a form living cells can use

Primary ProducersPrimary Producers

• These organisms are called These organisms are called autotrophs or primary autotrophs or primary producers producers because they can make their own food using because they can make their own food using light energy from the sun and are the first producers of light energy from the sun and are the first producers of energy rich compounds other organisms need to surviveenergy rich compounds other organisms need to survive– Use energy from sun to convert inorganic compounds into Use energy from sun to convert inorganic compounds into

organic molecules (sugar)organic molecules (sugar)– Organisms that eat autotrophs then use energy stored in the Organisms that eat autotrophs then use energy stored in the

bonds of these organic moleculesbonds of these organic molecules– Without autotrophs there would be no energy or food for Without autotrophs there would be no energy or food for

organisms on the planet!!!!!organisms on the planet!!!!!

Remember Photosynthesis??Remember Photosynthesis??

Can there be life without light?Can there be life without light?

• Yes!Yes!

• About 30 years ago scientists found About 30 years ago scientists found ecosystems around deep ocean vents ecosystems around deep ocean vents where it is very dark.where it is very dark.

• These organisms use a process called These organisms use a process called chemosynthesis to harness energy chemosynthesis to harness energy from inorganic molecules instead of from inorganic molecules instead of photosynthesis since there is no lightphotosynthesis since there is no light

http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=chemosynthesis&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&docid=ufkLm-JkdYMkhM&tbnid=26JPL4sgu5-lMM:&ved=0CAUQjRw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bigelow.org%2Ffoodweb%2Fchain4.html&ei=9f4cUsG6C8-84AP2yYCABg&bvm=bv.51156542,d.cWc&psig=AFQjCNFavOm5IkWeV43knHE795hXf3QRbQ&ust=1377718309433083

ConsumersConsumers

• HeterotrophsHeterotrophs – cannot capture light – cannot capture light energy from the sun energy from the sun – Must get energy from other organisms by Must get energy from other organisms by

consuming themconsuming them– That is why they are also called That is why they are also called consumersconsumers!!– There are several different types of There are several different types of

consumers depending on what they eat!consumers depending on what they eat!

Types of ConsumersTypes of Consumers• Herbivore Herbivore – eat plant leaves, roots, seeds, fruits– eat plant leaves, roots, seeds, fruits

– Examples: cow, caterpillars, deerExamples: cow, caterpillars, deer

• CarnivoreCarnivore – kill and eat other animals – kill and eat other animals– Examples: snakes, dogs, cats, river otterExamples: snakes, dogs, cats, river otter

• OmnivoresOmnivores – eat both plants and animals – eat both plants and animals– Examples: humans, bears, pigsExamples: humans, bears, pigs

• ScavengersScavengers – eat carcasses of other animals – eat carcasses of other animals that have been killed by predators or have died of that have been killed by predators or have died of natural causesnatural causes– Example: vulturesExample: vultures

Types of ConsumersTypes of Consumers

• DecomposersDecomposers – feed by chemically – feed by chemically breaking down organic matter (dead plants breaking down organic matter (dead plants and animals)and animals)– Produces detritus: small pieces of decaying Produces detritus: small pieces of decaying

plants and animalsplants and animals– Example: Bacteria and fungusExample: Bacteria and fungus

• DetritivoresDetritivores – chew or grind up detritus – chew or grind up detritus particles into smaller piecesparticles into smaller pieces– Examples: mites, shrimp, snails and crabsExamples: mites, shrimp, snails and crabs