L1: ECOSYSTEM

• The biosphere is the part of the Earth that supports life, made up of the lithosphere (Earth's crust), hydrosphere (Earth's water), and atmosphere (Earth's air), where all living things interact with each other and the environment

  
• Levels of organization in the biosphere:

  • Atom: made up of protons, neutrons, and electrons
  • Molecule: made up of two or more atoms
  • Cell: basic unit of life
  • Tissue: group of cells
  • Organ: group of tissues
  • Organism: living thing made up of a group of organs
  • Population: group of organisms of the same species
  • Community: group of different populations living in the same area
  • Ecosystem: community of living things and their environment
  • Biosphere: sum of all ecosystems on Earth
• Rotation is the spinning of an object around its own axis, causing day and night, while revolution is the movement of an object around another object, causing the seasons

  
• The food pyramid shows producers at the bottom and apex predators at the top

  
• Understanding the levels of biological organization is essential for comprehending the complexity of life, from the molecular interactions within cells to the global-scale dynamics of ecosystems in the biosphere
• Levels of organization in the biosphere:

  • Atom (protons, neutrons, electrons)
  • Molecule (two or more atoms)
  • Cell (basic unit of life)
  • Tissue (group of cells)
  • Organ (group of tissues)
  • Organism (living thing made up of organs)
  • Population (group of organisms of the same species)
  • Community (different populations in the same area)
  • Ecosystem (community of living things and their environment)
  • Biosphere (sum of all ecosystems on Earth)

  
• Terrestrial biomes:

  • Tundra: cold, treeless biome with permafrost, mosses, lichens, caribou, Arctic foxes, and polar bears
  • Forests (Boreal, Temperate, Tropical): varying climates and tree compositions
  • Grasslands: extensive grass cover, prairies (temperate) and savannas (tropical), home to grazing animals
  • Chaparral: found in regions with Mediterranean-type climates, drought-resistant shrubs and small trees
  • Deserts: arid conditions, cacti, camels, rattlesnakes
  • Wetlands: transitional areas between terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems
• Food pyramid with producers at the bottom and apex predators at the top

  
• Carrying capacity in biology is the maximum population size of a species that an environment can sustain indefinitely, given the available food, water, and resources

  
• ECOSYSTEM:

  • A geographic area where plants, animals, and other organisms, as well as weather and landscape, work together to form a bubble of life
• BIOLOGICAL ORGANIZATION:

  • Refers to the hierarchy of structural levels within living organisms, from the simplest to the most complex
  • Provides a framework for understanding the structure and function of life
• Levels of biological organization, from the lowest to the highest:

  • Subatomic Particles: electrons, protons, and neutrons
  • Atoms: building blocks of matter, combine to form molecules
  • Molecules and Macromolecules: essential for the structure and function of living organisms
  • Organelles: membrane-bound structures within cells that perform specific functions
  • Cells: basic structural and functional units of life
  • Tissues: groups of similar cells that work together to perform a specific function
  • Organs: composed of multiple tissues working together to perform a specific physiological function
  • Organ Systems: multiple organs collaborating to perform a broader set of functions
  • Organisms: single, complete individuals capable of carrying out all life processes
  • Populations: group of individuals of the same species living in the same geographic area and capable of interbreeding
• • Communities: assemblage of populations of different species that interact with each other within a given area or ecosystem
  • Ecosystems: include both biotic (living organisms) and abiotic (non-living factors) components within a defined geographic area
  • Biomes: large-scale geographic regions characterized by specific climate and vegetation patterns
  • Biosphere: highest level of biological organization, representing the sum of all ecosystems on Earth
• Understanding the levels of biological organization is essential for comprehending the complexity of life, from molecular interactions within cells to global-scale dynamics of ecosystems in the biosphere
• The hierarchical framework of biological organization provides a foundation for studying biology and exploring the interconnectedness of all living organisms on our planet
• An ecosystem is a community of living organisms, such as plants, animals, and microorganisms, interacting with each other and their physical environment
• Interactions in ecosystems involve the exchange of energy and matter within a particular area or habitat
• Ecosystems can vary greatly in size and complexity, ranging from small ponds or forests to entire oceans or even the entire planet
• Ecosystems play a crucial role in maintaining the balance of nature and supporting life on Earth by providing essential services such as clean air and water, regulating climate, supporting biodiversity, and supplying resources like food and medicine
• Ecosystems can be terrestrial (land-based), aquatic (water-based), or a combination of both
• Producers in an ecosystem are autotrophic organisms like plants, algae, and some bacteria that can produce their own food through photosynthesis or chemosynthesis
• Producers are the foundation of the food chain, converting energy from the sun (or chemicals in the case of chemosynthetic organisms) into organic matter
• Consumers in an ecosystem are heterotrophic organisms that obtain energy by feeding on other organisms
• Consumers can be categorized into different trophic levels:

  • Herbivores: Primary consumers that feed on producers
  • Carnivores: Secondary and tertiary consumers that prey on other animals
  • Omnivores: Organisms that consume both plant and animal matter
  • Detritivores: Organisms that feed on dead organic matter, such as decomposers
  • Decomposers: Break down dead organic matter, returning nutrients to the ecosystem
• Predators hunt and consume other organisms (prey) as a source of food, playing a vital role in regulating populations in an ecosystem
• Parasites are organisms that live on or inside another organism (the host) and derive nutrients from it, affecting the health of host populations
• Mutualism involves interactions where two species benefit from their association, like pollinators benefiting from nectar while aiding in the pollination of plants
• Climate factors influencing ecosystems include temperature, precipitation, humidity, wind patterns, and seasonal variations
• Geological features like rocks, soil types, and landforms shape the physical structure of ecosystems
• Soil composition affects plant growth and nutrient availability
• Topography, including elevation, slope, and bodies of water, influences drainage patterns and species distribution
• Water availability, in terms of quantity and quality, determines which organisms can survive in an area and plays a role in nutrient transport
• Light quantity and quality impact photosynthesis in plants and organism behavior
• The availability of essential nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus in soil and water affects plant growth and nutrient cycling within ecosystems
• The Earth's atmosphere composition, including gases like oxygen, carbon dioxide, and nitrogen, influences respiration and photosynthesis in organisms
• Natural disturbances like wildfires, floods, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions can disrupt ecosystems and shape their structure and composition
• Factors determining the type of terrestrial ecosystem in a place:

  • Temperature range
  • Average amount of precipitation
  • Soil type
  • Amount of light received
• Terrestrial ecosystems are land-based communities of organisms with interactions of biotic and abiotic components in a given area
• Examples of terrestrial ecosystems:

  • Tundra
  • Taigas
  • Temperate deciduous forests
  • Tropical rainforests
  • Grasslands
  • Deserts
• Tundra:

  • Cold and treeless biome with extremely low temperatures, permafrost, and a short growing season
  • Vegetation: mosses, lichens, small shrubs
  • Wildlife: caribou, Arctic foxes, polar bears, migratory birds