Transcript Levels of Organization & Energy Flow

Levels of
Organization &
Energy Flow
I.
The Biosphere
Biosphere 2
Oikos = house
this is the root word
for ecology…so the
living world is like a
house with the
organisms playing
different roles.
Define ecology:
study of the interactions
between an organism
and their environment.
Largest level of
organization is
the Biosphere
Biosphere
Biome
Ecosystem
Community
Population
Species
Individual
Smallest level
of
organization
is the
individual
Biosphere: the thin zone of the earth
that supports all life.
made up of
Biomes: area with the same climate
and similar dominant communities
made up of
Ecosystems: all living (biotic factors)
and nonliving (abiotic factors) parts of
an environment
made up of
Communities: all the organisms living
in a certain area
made up of
Populations: all the organisms of the
same species living in the same area
made up of
Species: groups of organisms so
similar they can breed and produce
fertile offspring.
made up of
Individuals
II. Interactions Among
Organisms
(Energy Flow)
Sunlight is the main source
of energy in most
ecosystems.
What is energy needed for?
To power life processes –
Ex: metabolism, respiration, digestion,
circulation
1. Rule of 10:
a. 10% of energy is transferred b/w
trophic levels.
b. So if the sun gives 100% what
percent does the cow, who is a
second level consumer get?
What is another source for energy?
Inorganic chemical compounds
Thermal vents & bacteria
A. Producers/ Autotrophs: plants,
algae, & some bacteria that make
their own food (photosynthesis or
chemosynthesis).
1. What is another source for energy?
Chemosynthesis
Thermal vents & bacteria
B. Consumers/ Heterotrophs:
organisms that obtain their food by
eating other organisms.
1. 1st order (primary) consumers eat
plants (herbivores)
2. 2nd (secondary) order consumes
C1 (Herbivores). Carnivores
3. 3rd level consumer (top-level
carnivores (C2)) eat C1 ( 1st level
carnivores)
Omnivores: eat both plants and
animals
Detrivores: feed on plant & animal
remains & other dead matter.
C. Decomposers: feed on dead
organism, breaking down dead plants
and animals and returning nutrients to
the soil.
4. Many organisms feed at more than
one level.
5. Omnivores: consumers who feed
off plants and animals
Energy flows through an ecosystem in
one direction, from the sun
or inorganic compounds
to autotrophs (producers)
and then to various
heterotrophs (consumers).