Section 2.1 Main Ideas-

-Natural history, the observation of how organisms live out their lives in nature, led to the developement of the science of ecology-the study of the interactions of organisms with one another and with their environments.-

 

-Ecologists classify and study the biological levels of organization from the individual up to the ecosystem.  Ecologists study the abiotic and biotic factors that are a part of an organisms habitat.  They investigate the stratagies an organism uses to exist in its niche.  An aspect of its niche may involve symbiosis with other organisms.

 

Section 2.1- Organisms and thier Environments

Define-abiotic factor-            

           biosphere-

           biotic factor-

           commensalism-

           community-

           ecology-

           ecosystem-

           habitat-

           mutualism-

           niche-

           parasitism-

           population-

           symbiosis-

2.1 Outline-

What is ecology?

-Ecology defined-

  -ecology- the scientific study of living things.

-Aspects of Ecological study-

 -biosphere- the portion of the earth that supports life-

 -very diverse and supports a wide range of organisms-

-The nonliving environment: Abiotic Factors

 -abiotic factors- the nonliving parts of and environment

 -(ex. air, temperature, dirt, etc.)

-The living envrionment: biotic factors

 -biotic factors- the living parts of an environment

 -(organisms, grass, trees, etc.)

-Levels of organization in Ecology-

 -organism- a single animal or plant

 -population- a group of the same organisms-

 -communities- multiple different populations-

 -ecosystem-many communities interacting with the abiotic factors-

 -biosphere- the whole enchilada!

-interactions within populations-

 -population- a group of organisms that live together and interbreed-

 -many organisms in the same population may compete for resources- 

-interactions within communities-

 -community- many interacting populations-

-interactions between living things and abiotic factors form ecosystems-

-3 major types of ecosystems-

 -Terrestrial- on land-

 -Aquatic- water (fresh)-

 -Saltwater- water (salt)-

Organisms in Ecosystems

  -habitat- place where an organism lives out its life-

 -Niche-

  -niche- role and position a species has to get whatever it needs to survive-

 -Living relationships-

  -Symbiotic relationships-

   -commensalsim- 1 is benefitted and the other is neither harmed nor benefitted-

   -mutualism- both species benefit for this relationship-

   -parasitism- 1 is harmed while the other benefits-