Transcript Cell Theory
Ecosystems: What Are They and
How Do They Work?
Chapter 3
Cells Are the Basic Units of Life
Cell Theory Hooke, Schwann, Schleiden, Virchow
All came up with key concepts that led to the classical cell theory
Modern theory also includes
Energy and metabolism occur in the cell
DNA is passed through mitosis/meiosis
All things have the same basic chemical composition
Species Make Up the Encyclopedia of Life
Species
1.75 Million species identified
Insects make up most of the known species
Perhaps 10–14 million species not yet identified
Ecologists Study Connections in
Nature
Ecology – study of the how organisms interact with each other.
Levels of organization (smallest to largest)
Organism (species)
Population
Genetic diversity – importance?
Community
Ecosystem
Biosphere
Levels of Organization –
Autotrophs v. heterotrophs
Terrestrial v. Aquatic
Chemosynthesis
What Keeps Us and Other
Organisms Alive?
Life is sustained by the flow of energy from the sun through
the biosphere, the cycling of nutrients within the biosphere,
and gravity.
The Earth’s Life-Support System Has Four
Major Components
Atmosphere - air
Hydrosphere - water
Geosphere – rock, soil, and sediment
Biosphere – living things
Atmosphere
5 different layers
Troposphere – extends in range
from 17 km - to 7 km above sea
level
Contains about 78% nitrogen, 21%
oxygen and then various other
gases
Stratosphere – 17-50 km and
lower portion is where ozone is.
95% of UV radiation is blocked
here.
Hydrosphere
Consists of all water on
surface of the planet
Water vapor
Liquid water
Ice
Permafrost
Oceans cover about 71% of
the planet and contain
about 97% of the water
Geosphere
The crust is most
important as it ranges
from 5- 70 km thick
98% of the crust by
weight comes from 8
elements
O, Si, Al, Fe, Ca, Na, K,
Mg
Liquids parts will help
develop the magnetic
poles based on motion
Biosphere
Places where all life
ends up
The goal is to
understand the
interactions that exist
with air, water, and soil.
Natural Capital: General Structure
of the Earth
Life Exists on Land and in Water
Biomes
Aquatic life zones
Freshwater life zones
Lakes and streams
Marine life zones
Coral reefs
Estuaries
Deep ocean
Major Biomes along the 39th Parallel
in the U.S.
Three Factors Sustain Life on Earth
One-way flow of high-quality energy beginning with the sun
Cycling of matter or nutrients
Gravity
What Happens to Solar Energy
Reaching the Earth?
UV, visible, and IR energy
Radiation
Absorbed by ozone
Absorbed by the earth
Reflected by the earth
Radiated by the atmosphere as heat
Natural greenhouse effect
Flow of Energy to and from the Earth