Name______________________________

Period_____

9.1 Guided Reading

Ecology

As you carefully read through the text, answer the following questions as completely as possible!

What is Ecology?

1. The study of how living organisms interact with each other and with their environment is called _____________________________.

2. List several different areas of study included within the study of ecology.

3. What is a biome? List three different biomes.

4. Describe the differences between field studies and laboratory studies.

Organisms and the Environment

5. For organisms to grow and reproduce, they must get ___________________ and ________________ from the ______________________________.

6. Of what two factors does an organism’s environment consist?

7. Define “abiotic factors” and list several examples.

8. Define “biotic factors” and list several examples.

9. Describe two ways in which biotic factors interact with abiotic factors.

Levels of Organization in Ecology

10. Ecology can be studied at small levels or at large levels. List these levels, from largest to smallest.

11. Define biosphere.

12. Define biome.

13. Define ecosystem.

14. Define community.

15. Define population.

16. Define individual.

Applying Concepts

17. Give an example of how an abiotic factor can interact with the environment.

18. A question that an ecologist could ask at the population level is, “What factors control zebra populations?” Think of two examples of how other species may affect the zebra population.