Ecology, Earth's Systems, and Trophic Levels: Key Concepts for Biology

Ecology

The study of the interactions between living and non-living components of an ecosystem.

Biotic factors/abiotic factors

Biotic factors are the living parts of an organism, and abiotic factors are the non-living parts of an organism.

Interdependence

The dependence of organisms on other organisms to prosper or survive.

Atmosphere

The atmosphere contains all the air on Earth from 1 meter below the planet's surface to 10,000 km above the planet's surface.

Biosphere

This sphere includes all of the living things of Earth. Microorganisms, plants, and animals of the earth are examples.

Geosphere

The geosphere contains all the hard, solid land of the planet's crust, the semi-solid Rock underneath the crust, and the liquid near the center of the planet.

Hydrosphere

Contains all the solid, liquid, and gaseous water of the planet.

Crust

The thin, rocky outer layer of the geosphere.

Mantle

The layer beneath the crust, divided into the upper mantle and lower mantle.

Inner core

The solid center of the Earth made of iron and nickel.

Outer core

The liquid layer surrounding the inner core that produces Earth's magnetic field.

Asthenosphere

The softer layer beneath the lithosphere that allows tectonic plates to move.

Lithosphere

Earth's rigid outer layer, made of the crust and uppermost mantle.

Plate tectonics

Occurs when Earth's lithosphere is broken into large pieces called plates that move slowly over the softer asthenosphere.

Freshwater

3% of Earth's water is fresh (non-salty), most of which is found in frozen glaciers.

Saltwater

97% of Earth's water is salty, and it connects deep valleys along Earth's surface, which are referred to as oceans.

Biomes

Ecological communities formed by living things based on the physical surroundings of an area.

Weather patterns

Emergent phenomena caused by the circulation of air when the air temperature in the lower part of the atmosphere changes.

Temperature differences

Cause water to change state, such as being solid at the poles and evaporating to gas at the equator.

Tectonic plates

The large pieces into which Earth's lithosphere is broken.

Lithosphere surface

Very uneven, with high mountain ranges and huge flat areas.

Plate boundaries

Divergent, convergent, and transform boundaries where tectonic plates interact.

Divergent plate tectonics

Tectonic plates that move apart, exemplified by the East African Rift and Mid-Atlantic Ridge.

Convergent plate tectonics

Tectonic plates that move towards each other, exemplified by the Himalayan Mountains and Marianas Trench.

Transform plate tectonics

Tectonic plates that slide past each other, exemplified by the San Andreas Faults.

Rock cycle

The process by which rocks change from one type to another through melting, cooling, erosion, and other processes.

Igneous rocks

Rocks that form when melted rock cools and hardens.

Sedimentary rocks

Rocks that form when sediments from weathering and erosion are compacted and cemented.

Metamorphic rocks

Rocks that form when existing rocks are changed by heat and pressure.

Levels of biosphere organization

The hierarchical structure of life from organisms to the biosphere.

Organism

A single living thing that can be categorized as a species.

Species

A group of individuals that are similar to one another and can breed to create offspring.

Population

A group of the same species in one area.

Community

Different populations together in an area.

Ecosystem

A community along with nonliving factors.

Biome

Many ecosystems with similar climates.

Niche

The specialized role of an organism in its environment.

Adaptation

An inherited trait that helps an organism survive and reproduce.

Competition

The struggle to survive when different species share the same habitat and food.

Predation

A relationship where one organism (predator) kills another (prey) for food.

Symbiosis

Any relationship in which two species live closely together, with at least one benefiting.

Mutualism

A type of symbiosis where both species benefit.

Commensalism

A type of symbiosis where one species benefits while the other is unharmed.

Parasitism

A type of symbiosis where one organism (parasite) lives in another (host), harming it.

Trophic levels

The levels in an ecosystem that classify organisms based on their energy source.

Producers

Organisms that produce energy by capturing sunlight or using chemicals.

Photosynthesis

The process by which plants use sunlight energy to produce food.

Consumer

Organisms that consume other organisms for food.

Herbivore

An organism that only eats plants.

Carnivore

An organism that only eats meat.

Omnivore

An organism that eats both plants and animals.

Detritivore

Organisms that obtain their energy from dead matter or waste.

Decomposers

Organisms that cause decay and release nutrients back into the environment.

Energy Flow

Energy flows through an ecosystem in one direction, increasing in trophic level.

Food Web

Shows how energy moves through an ecosystem by connecting many food chains.

Biomass

Represents the amount of potential food available for each trophic level.

Energy Transfer

About 10% of energy at one trophic level of a food web is transferred to the next higher trophic level.

Basic Safety Equipment

Includes fire extinguisher, safety blanket, shower/eye wash, first aid kit, exits.

Ruler

Measures length and distance.

Meter Stick

Measures length and distance.

Beaker

Holds and mixes liquids.

Graduated Cylinder

Measures liquid volumes more precisely.

Balance

Measures mass.

Experimental Design

The process of planning and carrying out an experiment.

Hypothesis

A proposed explanation written in the 'If...then...because' format.

Experimental Group

The group that gets the variable being tested.

Control Group

The group kept normal for comparison.

Qualitative Data

Descriptions, like color or texture.

Quantitative Data

Numbers, like height or temperature.

Scientific Method

The step-by-step process scientists use to investigate questions and test ideas.