A. Read pages 62-66.
Due 22 October .
Terms &
Concepts: Understand the definition of Ecology and that
this branch of Biology can be studied at many different levels (diagram
page 64). Recognize that the Biosphere
is the largest most comprehensive level of ecological study.
Be able to distinguish and give examples of the other levels
of ecology, especially species,
population, community, and ecosystem. Appreciate that the
complex nature of ecological systems often requires the use of complex
technology (page 68) and sophisticated models to help scientist make
sense of their questions.
Questions
pages 83-84: 1, 2, 11-13.
B. Read
pages 67-73. Due 23 October.
Terms
&
Concepts: Be sure you can explain why the flow of energy
through an ecosystem is the key to understanding the relationships of
the individual species and their populations. Be able to describe the
role of producers
in an ecosystem and the role they play in bring energy from the sun
into the ecosystem. Understand the relationship between the terms
producer and autotroph.
Be aware of the process of photosynthesis
and it vital function in the producer populations. Appreciate that not
all producers use light energy and be able to describe some of the
alternatives such as chemosynthetic
bacteria of the deep ocean and subsurface terrestrial communities. Be
able to describe and give examples of the various types of heterotrophs (or
consumers)
such as the herbivores,
carnivores, omnivores, and decomposers. Be able to analyze
the relationships among these various trophic levels in a simple food chain and,
more importantly, in a complex food
web. Understand how energy flows through these trophic
levels from the producers to the highest level consumers. Understand
that the Laws of
Thermodynamics require that energy is lost during its
transfer from one trophic
level to another and how this fact can be diagrammed in ecological pyramids.
Questions
pages 83-84: 3-6, 14-18.
C. Due 26 October.
Questions pages
83-84: 19-20, 27, 30, 32.
D. Read
page 74-80. Due 28 October.
Terms &
Concepts: Be able to explain what a nutrient is and
why they are important. Be sure you understand the ability of
ecosystems to recycle nutrients and how this differs from the flow of
energy in a ecosystem. Be able to describe the common biogeochemical cycles
for common nutrients such as water, carbon, oxygen, nitrogen, and
phosphorous. Distinguish between evaporation and transpiration.
Be able to describe how water
returns to Earth from the atmosphere and is recycled through water
systems, and plants.Know the various mechanisms, both biotic and abiotic, and
as the result of human activity that move carbon dioxide into
the atmosphere. Appreciate the role of plants and photosynthesis in the
process of removing CO2 from the
atmosphere. Appreciate why nitrogen
is an important nutrient an how it cycles through ecosystems. Be sure
you can distinguish between the processes of nitrogen fixation
and denitrification.
Be able to outline the role of microorganisms
such as bacterial and algae in these processes. Understand how human
activity and pollution can seriously disrupt the nitrogen cycle.
Appreciate how the phosphorous
cycle is different from the other nutrients cycles and the important
role of this element in biological systems. Finally, be able
to give examples of limiting
nutrients and how they can determine the characteristics
of an ecosystem. Be able to describe examples of how human activity can
alter the effects of limiting nutrients.
Questions
pages 83-84: 7-10, 21-23.
E. Due 30
October. Questions
pages 83-84: 24-25, 28-29, 31.
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Homework Page.
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