Biology AP Ecology Unit Organization of Life Life
Biology A&P / Ecology Unit
Organization of Life • Life is organized from the simplest form to very complex • Cells, tissues, organ systems, organisms, populations, community, ecosystem, biome and biosphere
Tissues • A group of cells working together to perform a function.
Organs • A group of tissues, working together to perform a function.
Organ Systems • A group of organs working together to perform a function.
Organisms • A group of organ systems working together to maintain a creature capable of performing all seven characteristics of life.
Population • All of the members of a species in a specific area. • A species is a group of organisms that look similar and can produce fertile offspring.
Community • All of the organisms in a specific area.
Ecosystem • All of the living and non-living things in an area. • Biotic – the living part of an ecosystem • Abiotic – the nonliving part of an ecosystem
Biome • An area of earth with similar climate and geography and organisms adapted to live there.
Biosphere • The part of the earth where life is found.
Organism Relationships • Organisms often have a variety of ways they can interact with one another in their particular ecosystem.
Predation • One organism eats another. One organism benefits, the other is harmed.
Competition • Two organisms compete for a limited resource. Both organisms are adversely affected.
Parasitism • One organism benefits, while the other is adversely affected.
Mutualism • Two organisms live together and both benefit.
Commensalism • Two organisms live together, one benefits while the other is not affected.
Nutrient Cycles • Several nutrients need to be cycled through ecosystems. • These include water, carbon, nitrogen and oxygen.
Ecosystem Response • Changes in climate, the introduction of non-native species, pollution and fires can cause changes to ecosystems. • Some changes are positive, while others are negative.
Limiting Factors • Anything that limits the size of a population. • Examples are food, water, shelter or specific habitat requirements.
Carrying Capacity • The maximum population of a species an ecosystem can support for a long period of time.
Limiting Factors Potential Effects • If a limiting factor becomes scarce on a global level, the end result could be extinction.
Symmetry • When parts of something are roughly mirror images of themselves. • You can draw a line of symmetry showing where this occurs.
Bilateral Symmetry • Only one line of symmetry can be drawn.
Radial Symmetry • Many lines of symmetry can be drawn in only one plane.
Spherical Symmetry • Many lines of symmetry can be drawn in many planes.
Asymmetry • No lines of symmetry can be drawn.
Asexual Reproduction • Organisms that reproduce without exchanging genes. • They are clones of the original organism. • EX: binary fission in bacteria or budding in some animals
Sexual Reproduction • When organisms exchange genes during reproduction. • It creates a new combination of genes. • EX: most plants and animals
Anatomy and Physiology • Anatomy – the study of the structures of something. • Physiology – the study of the functions of structures. • Different organisms have different structures for surviving in their ecosystem.
Earthworms
Sea Star
Fish (Perch)
Frog
- Slides: 34