Matter, Energy, in

Organisms and

Ecosystems

• We use this example most of the time,

FOOD CHAIN

• We use this example most of the time, however, phytoplankton, and zooplankton are the basis for the aquatic transfer of energy.

• The sun provides the energy for the phytoplankton.

• The sun provides the energy for the phytoplankton. Phyto =Light.

• The sun provides the energy for the phytoplankton. Phyto =Light.

• The sun provides the energy for the phytoplankton. Phyto =Light.
• Zooplankton

• The sun provides the energy for the phytoplankton. Phyto =Light.
• Zooplankton eat the phytoplankton.

• Watch the flow of energy with the arrows.

• Watch the flow of energy with the arrows.

• Watch the flow of energy with the arrows.

• Watch the flow of energy with the arrows.

• Watch the flow of energy with the arrows.

• Watch the flow of energy with the arrows.

• Watch the flow of energy with the arrows.

Also applies here….

• Phytoplankton: Very small free floating aquatic plants that get energy from the sun.
• They produce oxygen for animals.

• Phytoplankton: Very small free floating aquatic plants that get energy from the sun.
• They produce oxygen for animals.

Photosynthesis

The Sun provides

energy for plants to

grow, repair, and reproduce

Learn more about phytoplankton at… http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Features/Phytoplankton/

• Phytoplankton bloom seen from space. Cold nutrient rich waters cause phytoplankton to grow.

​

• Many animals migrate to these rich waters to feed off of the zooplankton which eat the phytoplankton.

• Many animals migrate to these rich waters to feed off of the zooplankton which eat the phytoplankton.

• Video Link! The Importance of Phytoplankton.
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lB1FADETAyg

• Zooplankton: Tiny animals that cannot make their own food.
• Many eat phytoplankton.

• Zooplankton: Tiny animals that cannot make their own food.
• Many eat phytoplankton.

Learn more about zooplankton at… http://marinebio.org/oceans/zooplankton.asp

Many are Protists

• Many small fish eat the zooplankton which feed on the phytoplankton.

• Many small fish eat the zooplankton which feed on the phytoplankton.

“This is not good!”

Learn more about zooplankton (advanced) at…

http://marinebio.org/oceans/zooplankton.asp#.ULG07IYtd8E

Bigger fish then eat the smaller fish, and so on.

​

• Video! Zooplankton and Phytoplankton
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=65l0JF7nIv8

Learn more about phytoplankton and zooplankton at… https://askabiologist.asu.edu/explore/plankton

• Which is phytoplankton, and which is zooplankton?

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

• Which is phytoplankton, and which is zooplankton?

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

Phytoplankton

• Which is phytoplankton, and which is zooplankton?

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

Phytoplankton

Zooplankton

• Which is phytoplankton, and which is zooplankton?

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

Phytoplankton

Zooplankton

Phytoplankton

• Which is phytoplankton, and which is zooplankton?

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

Phytoplankton

Zooplankton

Phytoplankton

Zooplankton

• Which is phytoplankton, and which is zooplankton?

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

Phytoplankton

Zooplankton

Phytoplankton

Zooplankton

Zooplankton

• Which is phytoplankton, and which is zooplankton?

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

Phytoplankton

Zooplankton

Phytoplankton

Zooplankton

Zooplankton

Phytoplankton

• Which is phytoplankton, and which is zooplankton?

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

Phytoplankton

Zooplankton

Phytoplankton

Zooplankton

Zooplankton

Phytoplankton

Phytoplankton

• Which is phytoplankton, and which is zooplankton?

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

Phytoplankton

Zooplankton

Phytoplankton

Zooplankton

Zooplankton

Phytoplankton

Phytoplankton

Zooplankton

• Which is phytoplankton, and which is zooplankton?

A

C

F

G

Phytoplankton

Phytoplankton

Phytoplankton

Phytoplankton

Which are producers?

• Which is phytoplankton, and which is zooplankton?

B

D

E

H

Zooplankton

Zooplankton

Zooplankton

Zooplankton

Which are consumers?

Small and numerous

Larger and less numerous

.

Phytoplankton

.

Phytoplankton

Zooplankton

Larger and less numerous

Larger and less numerous

• A summary…
• The ultimate source of energy (for most ecosystems) is the sun.
• The ultimate fate of energy in ecosystems is for it to be lost as heat.

​

• A summary…
• The ultimate source of energy (for most ecosystems) is the sun.
• The ultimate fate of energy in ecosystems is for it to be lost as heat.

​

HOT

COLD

• A summary…
• The ultimate source of energy (for most ecosystems) is the sun.
• The ultimate fate of energy in ecosystems is for it to be lost as heat.
• Energy and nutrients are passed from organism to organism through the food chain as one organism eats another.

​

• A summary…
• The ultimate source of energy (for most ecosystems) is the sun.
• The ultimate fate of energy in ecosystems is for it to be lost as heat.
• Energy and nutrients are passed from organism to organism through the food chain as one organism eats another.

​

Not destroyed b/c energy cannot be created or destroyed

• A summary…
• The ultimate source of energy (for most ecosystems) is the sun.
• The ultimate fate of energy in ecosystems is for it to be lost as heat.
• Energy and nutrients are passed from organism to organism through the food chain as one organism eats another.
• Decomposers remove the last energy from the remains of organisms.
• Inorganic nutrients are cycled, energy is not.

• A summary…
• The ultimate source of energy (for most ecosystems) is the sun.
• The ultimate fate of energy in ecosystems is for it to be lost as heat.
• Energy and nutrients are passed from organism to organism through the food chain as one organism eats another.
• Decomposers remove the last energy from the remains of organisms.
• Inorganic nutrients are cycled, energy is not.

• Video On Food Chains: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MuKs9o1s8h8

• What is accumulating in this picture over time?

• Answer! Too much stuff.

• What does accumulate mean?

• Accumulation: To form an increasing quantity of something.

• Bioaccumulation: The process where an increasing amount of pollutants are concentrated in the cells of plants and animals.

Concepts Connects to…

• Bioaccumulation: The process where an increasing amount of pollutants are concentrated in the cells of plants and animals.

• Biomagnification: When contaminants increase at each step of the food chain.

• Biomagnification: When contaminants increase at each step of the food chain.

• Biomagnification: When contaminants increase at each step of the food chain.

• Biomagnification: When contaminants increase at each step of the food chain.

• Biomagnification: When contaminants increase at each step of the food chain.

• Biomagnification: When contaminants increase at each step of the food chain.

% Toxins

• Biomagnification: When contaminants increase at each step of the food chain.

# of Individuals

% Toxins

• Biomagnification and Pac-Man..
• http://www.thepcmanwebsite.com/media/pacman_flash/ to play for the students before we study.

• Pac-Man represents consumer.
• Consumers eat food (Plants or Animals)

• Pac-Man represents consumer.
• Pellets represent plants that contain pollution.

• Pac-Man represents consumer.

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• Pac-Man represents consumer.

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• Pac-Man represents consumer.

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• Pac-Man represents consumer.

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• Pac-Man represents consumer
• Blue dots are the pollution Pac-Man ate.

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• Pac-Man represents consumer
• When the ghost eats Pac-Man it gets all of the pollution.

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• Pac-Man represents consumer
• When the ghost eats Pac-Man it gets all of the pollution.

​

• Pac-Man represents consumer
• When the ghost eats another Pac-Man it gets all of those pellets (Pollution)

• Pac-Man represents consumer
• When the ghost eats another Pac-Man it gets all of those pellets (Pollution)

• Pac-Man represents consumer
• When the ghost eats another Pac-Man it gets all of those pellets (Pollution)

• Pac-Man represents consumer
• When the ghost eats another Pac-Man it gets all of those pellets (Pollution)

• Pac-Man represents consumer
• When the ghost eats another Pac-Man it gets all of those pellets (Pollution)

• The pollution biomagnifies through the food chain.

• Pac-Man represents consumer
• The pollution biomagnifies through the food chain.

• Pac-Man represents consumer
• The pollution biomagnifies through the food chain.

Pollutants

Pollutants

Pollutants

Pollutants

Pollutants

.04 ppm

ppm = parts per million

.

.

There are one million yellow spots in this slide.

.

There is one part of pollution.

Can you find the one part per million of pollution on the next slide.

.

.

.

One ppm

(part per million)

Pollutants

.04 ppm

Pollutants

.04 ppm

.43 ppm

Pollutants

.04 ppm

.43 ppm

2.08 ppm

Pollutants

.04 ppm

.43 ppm

2.08 ppm

10.09 ppm

Pollutants

The FDA does have some guidelines for limiting fish consumption during pregnancy due to high levels of toxins such as mercury.

Toxins can harm a baby.

Toxins can harm a baby.

Bioaccumulation and biomagnification. Learn more at…

http://science.jrank.org/pages/854/Bioaccumulation.html

• Food Webs – Who eats whom.

• Video Link. Hank explains ecosystems.
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v6ubvEJ3KGM

Advanced

Laws of Nature

Laws of Nature

Don’t Die!

Laws of Nature

Don’t Die!

Laws of Nature

Don’t Die!

• Which is the predator and which is prey?

• Which is the predator and which is prey?

• Which is the predator and which is prey?

• Predator: An organism that lives by preying on other organisms.

• Prey: An animal hunted for food.

Prey

worm

Predator

Fish

Prey

worm

Predator

Fish

Prey

worm

Predator

Fish

Prey

worm

Predator

Fish

• Lionfish vs. Bobbit Worm
• Note: Sound Effects are added. Kind of Scary!
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3H4J5QDQeA4

• Generalist doesn’t waste energy looking for high quality food. Eat the obvious!
• Specialist uses lots of time and energy to find the energy rich foods.

• Which plant species would the rhinos below eat?

• Which plant species would the rhinos below eat?

• Which plant species would the rhinos below eat?

• Review!
• Habitat: The area or environment where an organism or ecological community normally lives.

• Habitat includes space, take advantage of safe places to rest such as burrows.
• Take advantage of the food that a habitat has to offer.

• Make caches of food.
• Storing food for later.
• Don’t forget where they are.

• Swarming: Is a collective behavior exhibited by animals of similar size which group together.
• Often moving together, or migrating in some direction as a mass.
• Schooling, flocking, herding, etc.

• Video Link! Starlings of Otmoor:
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XH-groCeKbE

• Gregarious: Tending to form a group with others of the same species.

• By living in a group, you gain…
• Young are all born at once.
• Group can protect and nourish young and each other.
• Finding a mate is easy.
• Safety in numbers.

• By living in a herd or group, members make each other aware of danger.

• By living in a herd or group, members make each other aware of danger.

Observing

• By living in a herd or group, members make each other aware of danger.

Feeding

8 volunteers needed to be impalas pretending to graze. Four look out for predators while four graze. Every 10-20 seconds, the grazers then become the look out, and the look outs become the grazers. Until teacher attacks and observers signal feeders.

​

• Flocking:
• Allows birds to take advantage of abundant food sources.
• A few birds will find the food and the rest take advantage.
• Increases safety / protection
• Attract a mate
• Raising a family is safer
• Aerodynamics in flying / migrating
• Warmth from your neighbors

• Flocking:
• Allows birds to take advantage of abundant food sources.
• A few birds will find the food and the rest take advantage.
• Increases safety / protection
• Attracting a mate is easier
• Raising a family is safer
• Aerodynamics in flying / migrating
• Warmth from your neighbors

• Flocking:
• Allows birds to take advantage of abundant food sources.
• A few birds will find the food and the rest take advantage.
• Increases safety / protection
• Attracting a mate is easier
• Raising a family is safer
• Aerodynamics in flying / migrating
• Warmth from your neighbors

Disadvantages: Disease spreads, competition, increase in visibility. Flocking is helpful or the birds wouldn’t do it…

• Schooling
• Schools protect fish from enemies because there is always safety in numbers. Predators find it easier to chase down a fish when it is all alone, than trying to single out a fish from a huge group.

• They use verbal and visual cues to warn their group that danger is near.

Whitetail = Alert!

• Herbivores ears can swivel to hear predators from all directions.

• Herbivores eyes can see almost all the way around them because their eyes bulge from their head.

• Herbivores eyes can see almost all the way around them because their eyes bulge from their head.
• Note: They don’t see in front very well.

Blind

Spot

• Herbivores can have powerful legs that are streamlined for running great distances, and kicking hoofs.

• Video Link! Springbok Antelopes avoiding predation / survival.
• http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=qr5Sru8gGSk

Optional Video (1:21): Impalas escaping cheetah. Jumps into car… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uD6wdrVFc0g

• Herbivores have strong noses for smelling predators from a great distance.

• Many animals have coloration patterns that confused or intimidate predators.

• Predators struggle to single out one zebra for prey.

​

• Stripes also make the Zebra look bigger than it may actually be because of the curved black lines.

• Stripes also make the Zebra look bigger than it may actually be because of the curved black lines. Looks very large!

• Stripes also make the Zebra look bigger than it may actually be because of the curved black lines. Looks very large!

Learn more about how the stripes aid in zebra survival at.. http://education.nationalgeographic.com/education/encyclopedia/food-web/?ar_a=1

• Add in the visual distortion from rising heat on the plains, and a herd of zebra becomes a difficult prey.

Stampeding animals

kicking up dust makes it even

harder.

• Video Link! (Optional). Crossing the Mara River in the great wildebeest survival.
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rppnoYZABFA

• Never turn your back!
• Take small bites, and watch your back.
• Use your senses and be alert!
• Predators are always lurking.

• Video – How herbivores avoid predation, and how predators attack.
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RtnLNmB3ZNE&feature=results_video&playnext=1&list=PLDD3AA55406C01593

• Typical Predator and Prey population graph.

As prey increase…

Predators increase

• Typical Predator and Prey population graph.

As prey increase…

Predators increase

Lag Time

• Typical Predator and Prey population graph.

As prey increase…

Predators increase

Lag Time

When resources are high the population increases or decreases?

• Typical Predator and Prey population graph.

As prey increase…

Predators increase

Lag Time

When resources are high the population increases.

• Please make some inferences about this graph.
• Why do the populations rise and fall as they do?

• Answer! As prey rise, predator rise just behind them. As they rise they overpopulate and many prey get eaten. The predators then die until the prey repopulate. The cycle repeats.

• Answer! As prey rise, predator rise just behind them. As they rise they overpopulate and many prey get eaten. The predators then die until the prey repopulate. The cycle repeats.

Learn more about predator prey relationships at… http://www.globalchange.umich.edu/globalchange1/current/lectures/predation/predation.html

• Predator Prey Simulator (Optional)
• http://www.shodor.org/interactivate/activities/RabbitsAndWolves/

• Video Link (Optional) Predators and Prey
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vZynrBA91fY

• Food Web: A complex network of many interconnected food chains and feeding interactions.

​

​

• Question! What happens to the food web when critical species are removed?

• Answer: The food web falls apart. So does the health of the ecosystem.

• Answer: The food web fell apart. So did the health of the ecosystem.

Learn more about food webs and a nice unit review at… http://education.nationalgeographic.com/education/encyclopedia/food-web/?ar_a=1

• Video Link. Hank explains ecosystems.
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v6ubvEJ3KGM

• New Area of Focus: Roots and Water.

Thirsty

Person

Nutrient

deprived

Person

Wind Storm

Is coming

Wind Storm

Is coming

Anchor /

Foundation

Need some

extra food

Need some

extra food

Belly =

Food Storage

Plants don’t move

like animals

Plants don’t move

like animals

But they have roots

to help them.

• Roots have many important roles for the plant.

Water Uptake

Anchor Plant

• Roots
• -
• -
• -
• -
• -

• Usually the underground portion of a plant.

• Usually the underground portion of a plant.

• Lacks buds, leaves, or nodes.

• Serves as support.

• Buttress roots: Large roots on all sides of a shallowly rooted tree. Typically, they are found in nutrient-poor rainforest soils and do not penetrate to deeper layers.
• They prevent the tree from falling over 

Mangroves

• Draws minerals and water from the surrounding soil.

• Draws minerals and water from the surrounding soil.

Important

plant nutrients

for healthy growth

Also important are carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, sulfur, magnesium, copper, cobalt, sodium, boron, molybdenum, zinc, and soil micro-organisms. –Whoa!

Learn more about plant nutrients at… http://www.ncagr.gov/agronomi/pdffiles/essnutr.pdf

• Increasing Fertility: Adding animal manure to plants for nutrients.

• Nitrogen
• Phosphorus
• Potassium

• Sometimes stores food.

• There are two main types of roots.
• -
• -

• Taproot: (Draw) Main root with roots that branch off.

• Can you find the taproot in this picture?

• Can you find the taproot in this picture?

• Fibrous root: (Draw) Many branches.

• Which root is a taproot, and which is a fibrous root?

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• Which root is a taproot, and which is a fibrous root?

​

• Which root is a taproot, and which is a fibrous root?

​

Fibrous root

• Other roots can be tubercular. (Tubers)

• Can you find the tuber in the picture below?

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• Can you find the tuber in the picture below?

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• Planting potatoes during the medieval times was a good idea because they are tough to dig up.
• Your fields could be burned and easily destroyed. Your potatoes won’t be harmed.

• Another type of roots can be adventitious roots which run along the ground anchoring the plant.

• Another type of roots can be adventitious roots which run along the ground anchoring the plant.

• Another type of roots can be adventitious roots which run along the ground anchoring the plant.

• Root Hairs: Hairlike extensions of root to absorb water and nutrients.
• Very delicate (damaged when transplanted).

Learn more about roots at… http://www.botgard.ucla.edu/html/botanytextbooks/generalbotany/typesofroots/

• Water uptake is necessary for plants because…
• -
• -
• -
• -

• Keeps plants rigid and not wilted.
• Water fills cells and creates turgor pressure.

• Video of young plant and periodic watering.
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LICDb8nM5rs

• Water cools the plant down during warm weather.

• Water carries dissolved nutrients and minerals throughout plant.

• Water is needed for photosynthesis.

• Important note: Plants get the molecules they need chiefly from water and the air.
• Not the soil.

• Important note: Plants get the molecules they need chiefly from water and the air.
• Not the soil.

• Hydroponics: The process of growing plants in sand, gravel, or liquid, with added nutrients but without soil.

• Hydroponics: The process of growing plants in sand, gravel, or liquid, with added nutrients but without soil.

• Video Link! Hydroponics on a city roof.
• http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=W5tnHfikb64

• Classroom Hydroponics (Optional)
• Please research possibilities to create some hydroponics in your classroom or at home.
• Various Methods: http://www.kidsgardening.org/node/376
• http://lifeonthebalcony.com/use-a-simple-hydroponics-system-to-grow-lots-of-vegetables-in-a-small-space/
• Video on How to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ah3zrGRmx80

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• Plants get the nutrients they need primarily from the….
• A.) Soil and Water
• B.) Sun, Leaves, and Stems
• C.) Water and Air.
• D.) Soil only.

Answer is….

• Plants get the nutrients they need primarily from the….
• A.) Soil and Water
• B.) Sun, Leaves, and Stems
• C.) Water and Air.
• D.) Soil only.

Answer is….

Learn more about hydroponics at… http://home.howstuffworks.com/lawn-garden/professional-landscaping/alternative-methods/hydroponics.htm

Plants,

Photosynthetic.

Capturing energy from the sun

Using CO2 and water to…

create sugar and oxygen.

connected to animals, and

necessary for our survival