|
A. Read pages 62-66 and answer Questions pages 83-84: 1, 2, 11-13. Due 24 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.
B. Read pages 67-73 and answer Questions pages 83-84: 3-6, 14-18. Due 26 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.
C. Internet Lesson, Food Web, Sea Otters. Due 28 October.
Go to the Internet lesson, Food Web, Sea Otters, Read the instructions, answer the questions, and email answers as a MS Word or RTF attachement.
D. View the Youtube video on hydrothermal vents and answer the following Questions. Due 31 October.
E. Read pages 74-80 and answer Questions pages 83-84: 7-10, 21-25. Also answer these Questions. Due 1 November.
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 bacteria 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.
Return to the Biology Class Page.
Return to Mr. Birch's Biology Class Pages.
|
