Organisms and Their Organisms and Their EnvironmentEnvironment

Why are we studying the Why are we studying the environment?environment?

-Understanding what affects the environment is important because it’s where we live!

I. EcologyI. Ecology

-Ecology is the study of interactions that take place between organisms and their environment.

II. Levels of Organization in II. Levels of Organization in EcologyEcology

Biosphere (biggest group) Biome Ecosystem Community

Population Organism- (smallest group)

II. Levels of Organization in II. Levels of Organization in EcologyEcology

1. Biosphere-part of the Earth that supports life.

II. Levels of Organization in II. Levels of Organization in EcologyEcology

2. Biomes-large group of ecosystems that share certain characteristics.

Ex: Desert, Forest

II. Levels of Organization in II. Levels of Organization in EcologyEcology

3. Ecosystems-made up of interacting communities.

Ex: Horse eating grass, grass growing in ground.

II. Levels of Organization in II. Levels of Organization in EcologyEcology

-Ecosystems are made up of biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) factors.

II. Levels of Organization in II. Levels of Organization in EcologyEcology

Biotic factors-living thingsEx: trees, animals, bacteria

Abiotic factors-non-living thingsEx: sun, soil, air, water

Examples of ecosystems made up of biotic and abiotic factors:

II. Levels of Organization in II. Levels of Organization in EcologyEcology

4. Communities-made up of interacting populations.

Ex: Deer, zebra and grass living together.

II. Levels of Organization in II. Levels of Organization in EcologyEcology

5. Population-a group of organisms of one species that live in the same place at the same time.

Ex: Many deer

II. Levels of Organization in II. Levels of Organization in EcologyEcology

***Organisms in a population compete with each other for food, water and mates. Competition increases when these things aren’t available.

II. Levels of Organization in II. Levels of Organization in EcologyEcology

6. Organism-a living thing.Ex: One deer.

III. Organisms in EcosystemsIII. Organisms in Ecosystems

-A habitat is an organism’s place of survival.

III. Organisms in EcosystemsIII. Organisms in Ecosystems

-A niche is the role an organism plays in its environment (how it gets food, finds shelter, and reproduces).

-A niche includes all of an organism’s interactions with the biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) parts of its environment.

Example: A cockroach’s niche is inside a house, eating garbage.

MutualismMutualismCommensalismCommensalism

ParasitismParasitism

IV. Symbiosis• A close and permanent relationship

between two organisms is called symbiosis.

• Symbiosis means living together. There are three kinds of symbiosis: mutualism, commensalism, and parasitism.

1. Mutualism• A symbiotic

relationship in which both species benefit is called mutualism.

This little fish is

helping me by cleaning my teeth!!!

Yeah!!!

I’m eating the big fish’s food so he’s helping me

too! Yeah!!!

More Examples of MutualismMore Examples of Mutualism

The coral reef and the algae exist in a mutualistic relationship. They supply food and shelter for each

other.

Mutualism and Lichens!Mutualism and Lichens!

Lichens are made up of fungi and algae. The fungi attaches the

organism to the tree and protects the algae. The algae provides food

through photosynthesis.

Mutualism and flowers!Mutualism and flowers!

Flowers provide food for insects. Insects spread the seeds of flowers.

Both organisms benefit!

2. Commensalism Commensalism is

a symbiotic relationship in which one species benefits and the other species is neither harmed nor benefited.

In this picture, Spanish moss isgrowing on the trees. The moss benefits because it has a place

to live, and the tree doesn’t care.

More examples of CommensalismMore examples of Commensalism

Clownfish hide in poisonous sea anemones which protect them from

larger fish. The clownfish benefit, and nothing happens to the sea anemones.

Commensalism continued…Commensalism continued…This bird, called an egret rides on the back of large

mammals like elephants. The egret benefits

because it gets a place to live, and

the elephant doesn’t care

because it does not benefit or

become harmed by the

relationship.

3. Parasitism

• Some interactions are harmful to one species, yet beneficial to another.A symbiotic relationship in which a member of one species benefits and the other species is harmed is called parasitism.

Parasitism• Parasites have evolved in such a way that

they harm, but usually do not kill the host species.

Tapeworms are parasites.They attach to your intestines and suck out all of your food. the tapeworm benefits, and

the host is harmed because they slowly starve to death.

One of the ways to get rid of a tapeworm is to starve yourself and then place a piece of meat in front of

your mouth. The tapeworm will smell the meat and climb up your throat and out of your mouth.

Tapeworms continued!!!Tapeworms continued!!!

Other parasites!Other parasites!

A lungworm benefits while it harms the host.

This is the head of a parasite.

Parasites often grab on to the

digestive tracts (intestines and

stomachs) of their hosts.

Guinea Worm-Another parasite!Guinea Worm-Another parasite!

Parasitism• A predator is a type of consumer. Predators

seek out and eat other organisms.

Predator Pre

y

Parasitism• Predation is found in all ecosystems

and includes organisms that eat plants and animals.

• The animals that predators eat are called prey.