1. Introduction to Ecosys

ecology

The scientific study of the interactions between organisms and their environment, which includes both living and non-living components

home, study

Ecology came from the greek words "oikos” and “logos” meaning?

biotic factors, abiotic factors

What are the two components of the environment?

ecosystem

The basic functional unit in ecology

ecosystem

A biological community of interacting organisms together with their physical environment functioning as a unit

atom

Smallest unit of a chemical element that exhibits its chemical properties

molecule

Chemical combination of two or more atoms of the same or different elements

cell

The fundamental, structural, and functional unit of life

tissue

A group of similar cells working together

organ

Different tissues working together as a single unit

organism, population, community, ecosystem, biome, biosphere

The six levels of ecological organization (based on sir Sio’s ppt)

organism

An individual living being, capable of carrying out all life processes independently

population

A group of individuals of the same species living in a particular place at the same time

community

Populations of different species living in a particular place, and potentially interacting with each other

ecosystem

A community of different species interacting with one another (biotic) and with their non-living environment of matter and energy (abiotic)

biome

A large geographic region defined by specific climate, soil type, and set of plants and animals

biosphere

Parts of the earth’s air, water, and soil, where life is found. The sum of all ecosystems on Earth. The global zone where life exists

energy flow, biochemical cycling

The two fundamental functions of an ecosystem

energy flow

The transfer of energy through food chains and food webs

energy flow

A one-way movement of energy, originates primarily from the sun

10%

The percent of energy transferred from one trophic level to the next

lost as heat

If 10% of energy is transferred from one trophic level to the next, where is the 90% found?

biochemical cycling

The recycling of matter within ecosystems which conserves essential nutrients, and maintains ecosystem productivity

trophic level

This refers to an organism’s feeding position in a food chain

trophe

Trophic came from the greek word?

nourishment, feeding

The greek word trophe in trophic level means?

producers

The first trophic level

primary consumers, herbivores

The second trophic level

secondary consumers, carnivores

The third trophic level

tertiary consumers, top carnivores

The fourth trophic level

convert solar energy into food and support higher trophic levels

Why are producers important?

producers

What forms the base of every food chain?

solar energy

What type of energy do producers primarily capture?

it decreases

What happens to energy as it moves up trophic levels?

less energy is available to support them

Why are higher trophic levels less numerous?

Biogeochemical cycle

The recycling of elements between biotic and abiotic components

living organisms

What does bio mean?

earth

What does geo refer to?

elements and compounds

What does chemical refer to?

water, carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, oxygen, sulfur

What are the major biogeochemical cycles?

water cycle

The movement of water among atmosphere, land, and bodies of water

hydrological cycle

Water cycle is also referred to as?

water cycle

This cycle is important because it provides freshwater, regulates climate/weather, and transports nutrients

water cycle

This cycle is important because it provides freshwater, regulates climate/weather, and transports nutrients

carbon cycle

The movement of carbon among atmosphere, organisms, oceans, and Earth’s crust

Photosynthesis, respiration, decomposition, combustion, ocean absorption

What are the major carbon cycle processes?

carbon cycle

This cycle helps regulate atmospheric CO2 and Earth’s climate

nitrogen cycle

The movement of nitrogen among atmosphere, soil, and organisms

~78%

What percentage of the atmosphere is nitrogen?

No

Can organisms directly use atmospheric nitrogen?

nitrogen fixation

What makes atmospheric nitrogen usable?

fixation, nitrification, assimilation, ammonification, denitrification

What are the major nitrogen cycle processes?

nitrogen

This element is needed for amino acids, proteins, DNA, and RNA. It also supports plant growth and crop productivity

phosphorus cycle

The movement of phosphorus through rocks, soil, water, and organisms

It has no significant atmospheric phase

What makes the phosphorus cycle different?

phosphorus

This element is a component of ATP and is important for DNA, RNA, phospholipids, bones, and teeth. It also supports plant growth

oxygen cycle

The movement of oxygen among atmosphere, biosphere, and hydrosphere

photosynthesis

What process produces oxygen?

cellular respiration

What process consumes oxygen?

oxygen

This element is required for cellular respiration and aerobic life

atmospheric oxygen levels

What does the oxygen cycle maintain?

cysteine, methionine, proteins

Sulfur is required for certain amino acids like?

sulfur cycle

This cycle’s major sources comes from weathering of rocks, volcanic eruptions, decomposition, burning of fossil fuel

sulfur dioxide

What sulfur compound contributes to acid rain if it’s too much?