Science 9 - Biodiversity Notes
Biodiversity
Warm Up (May 8th, 2025)
Question: "If two rabbits are born—one with white fur and one with brown fur—which one is more likely to survive in a snowy forest? Why?"
Happy 99th Birthday to David Attenborough!
Natural Selection and Adaptation
Survival in Snowy Forest: The white-furred rabbit is more likely to survive because it blends in with the snowy environment, providing camouflage and reducing predator visibility.
Adaptation: Camouflage is an adaptation that increases the rabbit's chances of survival.
Natural Selection: Over time, if white rabbits are more likely to survive and reproduce, more white-furred offspring will be born. This illustrates natural selection, where advantageous traits become more common in a population.
Charles Darwin and Evolutionary Adaptations
Evolution by Natural Selection discussed, referencing Darwin's Finches.
Evolution
Darwin hypothesized that the island finches descended from mainland finches but adapted to their specific island environments over generations.
Galapagos Finches - Beak Adaptations
Large Ground Finch: Wide, strong beak to crack open big, hard seeds (like a nutcracker).
Cactus Finch: Tough beak for eating cactus parts and insects (like needle-nose pliers).
Warbler Finch: Small, narrow beak to catch small insects (like tweezers).
Natural Selection
Definition: The process where organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and produce more offspring.
Origin: Charles Darwin first expounded the theory, now believed to be the main process driving evolution.
WebQuest Assignment
Science 9 WebQuest Assignment: The Evolution of Life
Warm Up (May 12th, 2025)
From “Life in Color, Episode 2 - Hidden in Color”: Describe an example where an animal uses camouflage to avoid predators.
Reminder: Mitosis Lab past due.
Warm Up (May 13th, 2025)
What do you Notice? What do you Wonder?
Reminder: Mitosis Lab past due.
Adaptation Explained
Definition: Adaptation is the process by which organisms adjust to better survive and reproduce in their environment.
This involves changes in behavior, physiology, or morphology to cope with environmental challenges.
As environments change, adaptation ensures species can thrive in their habitats.
Biological Terms of Adaptation
Process: Driven by natural selection, where individuals with advantageous traits are more likely to survive and reproduce.
State: The condition a population reaches as it becomes increasingly adapted over generations.
Phenotypic Traits: Physical traits arising from adaptation that enhance survival and reproductive success.
Natural Selection and Adaptation
Species with favorable adaptations pass them to offspring.
Over time, only individuals with these adaptations survive, leading to species changes/evolution through speciation.
Adaptation and Biological Fitness
Adaptation is linked to biological fitness: an organism’s ability to survive, reproduce, and pass on its genes.
Governed by the frequency of advantageous alleles.
Species evolve traits suited to their environment, increasing survival likelihood.
Adaptation Examples
Long, thick eyelashes
Thick fur
Slit-like nostrils
Hump
Thin fur
Thick, waxy skin
Spines
Large Surface Area: Volume ratio (SA:V)
Large stem
Long roots
Flat feet
Behavioral Adaptations
Changes in how organisms act to increase survival chances.
Migration: Birds traveling long distances for food or to escape harsh conditions.
Nocturnal Behavior: Owls hunting at night to avoid daytime predators.
Hibernation: Bears sleeping through winter to avoid cold weather.
Aestivation: Amphibians reducing activity during hot, dry periods.
Physiological Adaptations
Internal processes aiding organism survival.
Water Conservation in Camels: Concentrated urine allows survival in deserts.
Hydrochloric Acid Production in Humans: Breaks down food for digestion.
Venom Production in Snakes: Used for hunting and defense.
Poisonous Dart Frog: Defends against predators.
Structural Adaptations
Physical features that help organisms thrive.
Lynx: Flat, wide feet prevent sinking in snow; thick fur insulates.
Whales: Thick blubber keeps them warm and provides energy reserve.
Woodpecker Beaks: Strong, pointed beaks for tapping trees.
Baleen in Whales: Filters small organisms from water.
Bears: Claws to rip and tear prey and for defense
Camouflage
Techniques vary based on environment and ecological pressures.
Mimicry: King snake resembles venomous coral snake to avoid predators.
Background Matching: Chameleon matches background for predator avoidance.
Countershading: Whales have dark backs and light bellies for silhouette disruption.
Cuttlefish
Mention of cuttlefish as an example of adaptation (likely camouflage).
Animal Adaptations Assignment
PDF Reading and Questions DUE @ End of Class
Warm Up (May 14th, 2025)
What are the three Main Types of Adaptations (Behavioral, Physiological, Structural).
Listing of "Craziest Animal Adaptations":
Collared Peccary
Leaf-Tailed Gecko
Atlantic Pygmy Octopus
Opossum
Meerkat
Cuttlefish
Horned Lizard
Wood Frog
Evolution: From Darwin to Modern Science
Brief overview of the journey of evolution from Darwin to modern science.
Charles Darwin (1809-1882)
Born in Shrewsbury, England.
Considered the "Father of Evolution."
Groundbreaking work on evolution by natural selection, detailed in "On the Origin of Species" (1859).
Darwin initially studied medicine and theology before natural science.
The Voyage of the HMS Beagle
Map showing the route of the HMS Beagle around the world.
Observations During the Voyage
Observed unique plants and animals.
Found evidence of extinct creatures (bones).
Reached the Galapagos Islands on September 15, 1835, observing great diversity of life.
Galapagos Islands Location
Located in the Pacific Ocean, approximately 1000 kilometers (~621 miles) from the coast of Ecuador.
Similarities and Differences in Galapagos Species
Many species resembled those on mainland South America.
Some species were very different.
Darwin noted differences among similar organisms from island to island (e.g., tortoise shell shapes).
Comparing Iguana Species
Marine Iguana from the Galapagos Islands.
Green Iguana from South America.
Darwin's Finches
Illustrative chart showing various finches and their beak adaptations (Small insectivorous tree finch, Large Insectivorous tree finch, Vegetarian tree finch, Woodpecker finch, Warbler finch…etc.)
Adaptations Defined
Adaptation is a trait that helps an organism to survive and reproduce.
Darwin studied finches with different beak shapes adapted to their specific diets.
Examples of Adaptations
Physical Adaptations:
Camouflage
Sharp claws
Thick fur
Behavioral Adaptations:
Migration
Hibernation
Hunting techniques
Darwin's Conclusions on Evolution
Species gradually change over many generations.
Species become better adapted to their new conditions.
Evolution = gradual change in a species over time.
Natural Selection
Darwin described his theory in "On The Origin of Species" (1859).
Natural Selection = the process by which better-adapted individuals are more likely to survive and reproduce.
Theory of Evolution Visualization
Likely an image depicting a branching diagram showing the relationships between different life forms, tracing back to common ancestors.
Fossil Record
Fossils show changes in species over time.
Transitional fossils link ancient to modern species (e.g., Tiktaalik).
The fossil record helps understand the sequence of evolutionary events.
Comparative Anatomy and Embryology
Homologous structures: Similar body parts with different functions (e.g., human arm, whale flipper, bat wing) indicate common ancestry.
Vestigial structures: Reduced or unused body parts (e.g., human tailbone) suggest evolutionary history.
Embryology: Similarities in early development support shared ancestry.
Molecular Evidence (DNA & Genetics)
DNA comparisons reveal genetic similarities between species.
Closer related species have more similar DNA sequences.
Includes protein comparisons and genetic markers.
Survival of the Fittest Lab
Using colored toothpicks to represent species. Toothpicks are placed in grass, simulating different camouflage levels.
Students act as predators, collecting toothpicks. Harder-to-find colors survive longer.
Warm Up (May 14th, 2025) & Human Evolution Timeline
Give an example of "Evidence" of Evolution.
Human Evolution Timeline mentioned.
Warm Up (May 20th, 2025)
Who is Charles Darwin and why is he significant in the scientific community?
Evolution in Action Today
Antibiotic-resistant bacteria: Adapt to survive antibiotic treatment.
Pesticide-resistant insects: Colorado potato beetle has evolved resistance to 52 different insecticide compounds.
Wildlife adaptations: Elephants evolved to be tuskless due to ivory poaching.
Climate change responses: Salmon migrating earlier in warmer waters.
Natural Selection Observed in Toothpicks Lab - Data Collection
Step 2: Data Collection: Table to record number of toothpicks collected by color across three rounds and compute averages.
Data Visualization
Step 3: Creating a bar graph to show average number of toothpicks collected by color across the three rounds.
Graph requirements: descriptive title, scale, identified axes, legend, ruler, pencil, colors to demonstrate trends.
Warm Up (May 21st, 2025)
What do you Notice? What do you Wonder? What can you Infer?
LAB DUE Today.
Tree of Life
Charles Darwin’s sketch of the Tree of Life, drawn in 1837, shortly after returning from his voyage on the HMS Beagle.
Above the sketch, he famously wrote: “I think.”
Significance of the Tree of Life Sketch
Early Evidence of Evolutionary Thinking: First recorded visualization of common ancestry.
Foundation of Evolutionary Biology: Laid groundwork for natural selection theory.
Concept of Common Descent: Visual representation that all life is related through common origin.
Tree of Life and Biodiversity
Shows how all species are connected through evolution and common ancestry.
Biodiversity increases as species branch off and adapt.
Helps understand life’s diversification and the importance of protecting biodiversity.
What is Biodiversity?
Definition: Variety of living organisms on Earth and their interactions.
Includes diversity of species, ecosystems, and genetic variations.
Importance: Provides food, medicine, ecosystem services (pollination, water filtration).
Maintains balance and resilience of ecosystems, supporting human life sustainability.
Threats: Habitat destruction, pollution, climate change.
Need: Conservation efforts to protect and restore biodiversity.
Three Types of Biodiversity
Genetic Diversity: Variety of genes and traits within a species.
Species Diversity: Variety of species within an ecosystem.
Ecosystem Diversity: Variety of ecosystem and habitat types.
Biodiversity Reading and Questions
Note indicating that the reading has great notes for this topic.
Warm Up (May 22nd, 2025)
What is Biodiversity and why is it important?
National Biodiversity Indicators mentioned.
LAB Over due.
What Drives Biodiversity?
Map indicating countries with most and least biodiversity (The Swiftest).
Biodiversity Factors Activity
Each group has a map.
What do you notice?
What do you wonder?
What ‘story’ is being told?
What did you learn?
Factors Influencing Biodiversity Distribution
Climate: Latitude, altitude, temperature, amount of light.
Size and Topography: Area size, topography.
Nutrient Cycling: Rate of nutrient cycling.
Endemism: Level of species recording in a region.
Anthropogenic Effects: Pollution, clearance for agriculture, growth of human population.
World Biomes Map
Visual representation of various biomes including: Tundra, Grassland, Mountain, Rainforest, Savanna, Desert, Taiga, Forest.
Earth's Terrestrial Hot Spots of Biodiversity
Map highlighting regions with significant biodiversity including: California Floristic Province, Madrean Pine-Oak Woodlands, Mesoamerica, Caribbean Islands, Tropical Andes (etc.).
Biome vs Ecosystem
Biome: Area classified by plants and animals; determined by temperature, soil, light, and water.
Ecosystem: Interaction of living and nonliving things.
Biome can be made up of many ecosystems (e.g., aquatic biome containing coral reefs and kelp forests).
Warm Up (May 23rd, 2025)
What is a Biome?
What's the difference between a Biome and Ecosystem?
Ecosystems
A geographic area where plants, animals, and other organisms, with weather and landscape, form a bubble of life.
Biotic and Abiotic Factors
Ecosystems contain biotic (living) parts and abiotic (nonliving) factors.
Ecology Definition
Study of relationships between organisms and their environment, and the balance between these relationships.
Heterotrophs vs Autotrophs
Diagram indicating the roles of heterotrophs and autotrophs in an ecosystem, showing the flow of carbon dioxide, light energy and oxygen.
Ecosystem Puzzle Activity
Each student receives a piece of the puzzle to understand how ecosystem components fit together.
Food Chain vs. Food Web
Examples of food chains and food webs with various organisms (Fox, Owl, Seal, Mouse, Grasshopper …etc.).
Trophic Levels
Visual representation of trophic levels: producers, herbivores, carnivores, secondary carnivores, and apex predators.
Trophic Level Sorting Activity
Sorting organism cards by trophic level:
Producer (creates its own energy)
Primary Consumer (eats producers)
Secondary Consumer (eats primary consumers)
Tertiary Consumer (eats secondary consumers)
Quaternary Consumer (eats tertiary consumers)
Apex Consumer (top of the food chain)
Extra Practice: Food Webs and Food Chains Worksheet
Worksheet assignments on Food Chains and Food Webs.
Warm Up (May 26th, 2025)
Create the longest possible food chain.
Label each trophic level.
Natural Selection (Toothpicks) LAB Over due.
Food Chains and Food Webs Worksheet
Questions about food chains (direction of arrows, original energy source, trophic levels). Questions about foodwebs including identification of different food chains within depicted food web.
Ecosystem Fundamentals
Biodiversity, Energy Flow, Nutrient Cycling.
Biomass
Food webs are defined by their biomass. Biomass is the energy in living organisms. Autotrophs, the producers, convert the sun's energy into biomass. Biomass decreases with each trophic level.
Biomass and Energy Pyramid
Biomass decreases with each trophic level, so there are more autotrophs than herbivores and more herbivores than carnivores.
Food Chain Length Limitation
Food chains are typically no more than 4 or 5 trophic levels because of energy loss: only about 10% of energy is transferred to the next level.
Trophic Levels-Energy Flow in Ecosystems Resources
Video Resources including Food Webs and Energy Pyramids.
Longer Food Chains in Oceans
Ocean ecosystems can have more trophic levels (5-7) due to small, energy-efficient producers (phytoplankton), slower metabolism in cold water, and efficient energy transfer.
Ocean Food Chain Example
Phytoplankton (primary producers) --> Zooplankton (primary consumers) --> Small fishes (secondary consumers)--> Tuna (tertiary consumers)--> Great white shark (Apex predator)
Few Predators at the Top
Energy decreases at each trophic level, each predator needs more food, and space/resources limit top predator populations.
Extra Practice: Resources
Energy Pyramids; Food Chains and Energy Reading and Questions.
Warm Up (May 27th, 2025)
Hard copy available; complete the energy pyramid.
Did you fail a test (below 60%) do you want an opportunity for a rewrite?
Last day of classes (June 6th) Test REWRITE DAY!
Sign up and receive a review.
Energy through Ecosystems Worksheet
The amount of available energy at each trophic level decreases as it moves through an ecosystem. As little as 10 percent of the energy at any level is transferred up to the next level.
Energy Pyramids!
Most food chains are short—typically no more than 4 or 5 trophic levels—because of energy loss at each step. Only about 10% of energy is passed from one trophic level to the next.
Ecosystem Interactions
A healthy food web has an abundance of autotrophs, many herbivores, and relatively few carnivores and omnivores.
When one link in the food web is threatened, all of the links are weakened and biomass declines.
Food Web Disturbances
Brainstorming session to list potential impacts on ecosystems and food webs.
Pressures on Habitats and Species (Ecosystems and Food Webs)
Agriculture as most frequent pressure
Urbanisation and leisure activities
Invasive alien species
Forestry activities
Modification on water regimes
Exploitation of species (hunting)
Climate change
Pollution
Ecosystem Disruption Types
Natural:
*Fire
*Floods
*Drought
*Hurricane/Tornado
*Erosion AnthropogenicAnthropogenic:
*Construction/Develop ment
*Fragmentation
*Deforestation
*Hunting
*Pollution
*Invasive Species
Predator-Prey Interactions: The importance of Sharks
“Without sharks, you take away the apex predator of the ocean, and you destroy the entire food chain.”
Predator-Prey Interactions: Top-Down
Loss of organisms on higher trophic levels disrupts a food chain.
Sea otters prey on urchins. If sea otter population shrinks, urchins devastate kelp forest. Lack of producers causes biomass to plummet, resulting in urchin barrens.
Coastal Food Web
Link to an educational resource from the California Academy of Sciences.
Keystone Species
Definition: Has a disproportionately large effect on its environment relative to its abundance.
Critical role in maintaining the structure of an ecological community.
Without keystone species, ecosystem would be dramatically different or cease to exist.
Examples: Sea otter, Shark and Wolves.
Food Chain Simulation GIZMO
Interactive simulation to explore food chain dynamics.
Warm Up (May 28th, 2025)
Atlantic Cod Stocks - Notice, Wonder, Inference.
Test rewrite opportunities announcement.
Collapse of Atlantic Cod Stocks (East Coasts of Newfoundland) 1992
Moratorium declared due to overfishing depleteing cod stocks to 1% of peak.
Simple Food Chain Example: Sea Otter and Urchin Relationship
Giant kelp -> Sea urchin -> Sea otter
Visual food web comparisons for scenario A; With Sea Otters and scenario B Without Sea Otters
Trophic Cascade
Adding or removing a top predator causes big changes in the food chain that affect the number of plants and animals at each level, and even the entire ecosystem.
Food Chains GIZMO
Interactive simulation to explore food chain dynamics; Class Codes for participation.
Warm Up (May 29th, 2025)
Bald Eagle Breading Pairs - Notice, Wonder, Inference.
Test rewrite opportunities and final exam dates.
DDT Overview
DDT (dichloro-diphenyl- trichloroethane) was developed as the first of the modern synthetic insecticides in the 1940s.
DDT Banning
Environmental Defense Fund began a push for a ban on DDT for US use due to damage it causes to ecosystems starting in 1967.
DDT Today
EPA placed a ban on DDT use in the US in 1972 due to damage it causes to ecosystems including persistence in the environment, accumulation in fatty tissue, and adverse health effects on wildlife.
Biomagnification Process via DDT
Rain runoff washes pesticides into agricultural and surface water
Biomagnification and DDT Impact to the Florida Bald Eagle Numbers
Increase in concentration of DDT over trophic levles (Water, Zooplankton, Small fish, Large fish, Fish-eating birds of prey).
DDT Pesticide Dates of Interest
Chronological dates of Pesticide DDT widespread use and its ban by 1972
Biomagnification Definition
Biomagnification also known as bio-amplification or bioaccumulation is the increase concentration of a toxin, such as pesticides, in the tissues of organisms at sequentially higher levels in a food chain.
Microplastics
Illustrations of how microplastics could end up on a consumer's plate via oyster and mussel cultures
Biomagnification Impacts
Biomagnification also known as bio-amplification or bioaccumulation is the increase concentration of a toxin, such as pesticides, in the tissues of organisms at sequentially higher levels in a food chain.
Food Chains GiZMO simulation
Interactive simulation to explore food chain dynamics; Class Codes for participation.
Warm Up (May 30th, 2025)
Photosynthesisà Fill out KWL Chart. K – What you already Know W- What you want to Learn.
Photosynthesis in Science
Photosynthesis Title Slide
Photosynthesis Activity
Groups of 6
Photosynthesis Puzzle Groups
Groups of 5 Teams to pick a piece of the Photosynthesis Puzzle: BLUE, GREEN, ORANGE, PINK, RED, YELLOW, PURPLE, BLACK
What is Photosynthesis?
Definition: IS THE PROCESS WHERE PLANTS USE SUNLIGHT TO CREATE THEIR OWN FOOD
Plants are Autotroph
Photosynthesis Chemical Equation
6CO2 + 6H2O \longrightarrow C6H{12}O6 + 6O2
carbon dioxide + water + light = sugar +oxygen
Photosynthesis Process
Is a Chemical Reaction that combines carbon dioxide and water to make a molecule of glucose (Sugar).
The sugar is used as food. The waste product of the reaction is oxygen. Photosynthesis itself is powered by Sunlight.
Photosynthesis
6CO2 + 6H2O \longrightarrow C6H{12}O6 + 6O2
carbon dioxide + water + light = sugar +oxygen
Photosynthesis Detailed process
Sunlight gives energy to split water molecules (H_2O) into:
Oxygen (O_2) → released into the air.
Hydrogen (H_2) → used in making sugar.
The plant uses carbon dioxide (CO_2) + hydrogen + sunlight energy to make:
Glucose/Sugar (C6H{12}O_6)→ the plant's food.
Thinking Question
You are a Desert Plant. Photosynthesis needs water to produce oxygen. How do you think desert plants balance using water for photosynthesis while trying not to lose too much of it?
How Desert Plants save Water
Thick, waxy skin: Acts like a raincoat to stop water from evaporating.
Small or no leaves:
Leaves lose water, so many desert plants have tiny leaves or no leaves at all. Some (like cacti) have spines instead of leaves to reduce water loss.
Store water:
Many desert plants (like cacti and succulents) store water in their thick stems or leaves.
Shallow but wide roots: Quickly soak up rainwater before it evaporates.
Close stomata during the day: Stomata are tiny openings on leaves that let in air but also let water out. Desert plants often open stomata at night (when it’s cooler) to reduce water loss.
What is Cellular Respiration?
Slide heading to discuss Cellular Reparation
Cellular Respiration Definition
Cellular Respiration is the process by which food, in the form of sugar (glucose), is transformed into energy within cells. The Chemical Equation is:
Cellular Reparation Process Detail
Detailed process of consuming food and breathing. At the same time, we are breathing in oxygen that travels from our lungs through our bloodstream into smaller and smaller blood vessels until it reaches our cells. When the glucose and oxygen reach our cells, we have the materials we need to perform cellular respiration.
This process starts in the cells’ cytoplasm and is completed in the mitochondria (Powerhouse of the cell).
Connecting Cellular Respiration and Photosynthesis for Sustainability
The carbon dioxide goes into the plant for Photosynthesis where the Forests are the lungs of the world
FOR KAYLA
Plan for Today
June Final unit Test (Monday June 9th) à Review
Photosynthesis and Cellular Respiration extra practice
Gizmos à Food Chains and Equilibrium
Test Rewrite Reviews (Friday June 6th)
Photosynthesis equation
6CO2 + 6H2O \longrightarrow C6H{12}O6 + 6O2
carbon dioxide + water + light = sugar +oxygen
Photosynthesis process
Sun splits H2O water molecules into (O2) Oxygen released into the air and (H2) Hydrogen to make sugar. Plants use (CO2) + hydrogen + sunlight energy to make Glucose / Sugar (C6H{12}O6)
Photosynthesis vs. Cellular Respiration
Solar energy
Carbon dioxide
*water
*chloroplast
------>Chemical energy (ATP)
*Glucose
*chloroplast
How humans disrupted a cycle essential to all life. Vox explanation
*Video explanation
Global Temperature & (CO2)
*NASA showing the Global temperature anomalies averaged and adjusted to early industrial baseline (1881-1910) and Global annual average carbon dioxide
Did you Know? Climate Change Impacts on Populations
*68% decrease in biodiversity due to 1C increase in average temperature
Impacts on populations' ability to survive.
Did You Know?
Climate Change Impacts on Ecosystems | US EPA Impacts on populations' ability to survive. The white coat of the snowshoe hare makes it less visible to predators in the winter. But earlier snowmelts are making the hare stand out more against the brown forest floor, increasing its vulnerability.
Photosynthesis & Food Video
Review Photosynthesis and Food video by Amanda Ooten
Carbohydrate
Carbohydrate Type Function in Body Found In
Glucose Simple sugar Quick energy source Fruits, honey, processed foods
Starch Complex sugar Energy (broken down into glucose) Bread, pasta, potatoes, grains
Cellulose Fiber (complex) Not digested; helps digestion Vegetables, fruits, whole grains
Cellular Reparation
using energy from food to make ATP, which gives cells the energy needed to live (= metabolism).
Cellular Reparation
This is sugar (Glucose) from the food you eat (like bread, fruit, or pasta). You get oxygen by breathing. Your blood carries it to your cells. Your cells combine glucose and oxygen.", "ATP (energy): This is the usable energy your body needs to move, grow, think, and live! water
Review
What happens to the carbon (Carbon Dioxide- (CO2)) after it moves through plants and animals?
The Carbon Cycle Definitions Term What It Means Example
Carbon Source Releases carbon into the atmosphere Cellular respiration, burning fossil fuels, volcanoes
Carbon Sink Stores carbon and removes it from the atmosphere Forests, oceans, soil, plants during photosynthesis
What is the Carbon Cycle?
The carbon cycle is the way carbon moves through the Earth — between the air, plants, animals, soil, oceans, and fossil fuels.
Carbon is always being recycled in different forms: like carbon dioxide gas (CO2), sugars in plants, or fossil fuels underground.