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| Scientific Principles: Chapters 4, 5, 6 |
Chapter 4: Matter & Energy
Scientific Thinking
Limitations of Science
The Structure of Matter
Energy Principles
Limitations of Science
The Structure of Matter
Energy Principles
Two laws of Thermodynamics (Energy)
First Law:
Energy can have different "qualities"=>
First Law implies...
Second Law:
Implies that:
For conservation purposes, high quality energy...
In nature, PHOTOSYNTHESIS is critical...
Sample questions:
What is the difference between energy "quality" and "quantity",
and how do these concepts relate to the Laws of Thermodynamics?
What is the difference between "consensus" science and "frontier" science?
What is the ultimate source of energy for life on earth,
and why is photosynthesis such a critical process?
What does it mean that "high quality energy should only be used for high quality tasks"?
Chapter 5: Interactions: Environment and Organisms
ECOLOGY= The study of how organisms interact with one another and their environment
Compare with definition of Environmental Science...
What Is Life ?
All life ...
Organization of the Environment
Abiotic (nonliving) ecosystem factors
Physical factors include:
Chemical factors include:
Tolerance
Each population has a range of tolerance to variations in its physical and chemical environment:
Tolerance & Limiting factors
Sometimes, all abiotic factors but one are in tolerance...
That one then outweighs the rest: limiting factor
"Eutrophication"
Habitat & Niche of Organisms
Habitat =
Niche =
Natural Selection & Evolution
Evolution =
Brief History of the Earth (in years):
Evolution works through:
Organism Interactions
How organisms fit into their niches and adapt to their environment
Predation (+/-):
Competition (-/-):
Parasitism (+/-):
Commensalism (+/0):
Mutualism (+/+):
Energy Flow Through Ecosystems
Food Chains & Food Webs
Food Chain:
By Second Law of Thermodynamics,:
Food Webs:
Why is a vegetarian diet is more "energy efficient"?
Sample questions:
What is the difference between "habitat" and "niche"?
What happens to energy "quality" at each step in a food chain?
Use this to explain why a vegetarian diet is more "energy efficient".
Give an example of a four-step food chain.
What does (+/-) mean in the description of competition?
Give an example of each type of organism interaction.
Explain the meaning of "limiting factor" using the example of phosphate additives in laundry detergents.
Chapter 6: Kinds of Ecosystems & Communities
Succession: Primary & Secondary
Biomes: Terrestrial & Aquatic
Primary Succession
Start with bare rock - glacier, volcano fig. 5.2
Secondary Succession
Soil remains - e.g., plowed field
Biomes
Types of Climax Communities: Vegetation mainly determined by Climate
Desert:
Grassland:
Savanna:
...Grades into Tropical Deciduous Forest
Tropical Rainforest:
[Tropical Rainforests & Farming=>]
Temperate Deciduous Forest:
Temperate Rainforest:
Boreal Forest & Taiga:
Tundra:
Aquatic Ecosystems
Marine (salt water)
Fresh (Lakes & Streams)
Brackish: Estuaries
All production (photosynthesis) in (shallow) euphotic zone "true light"
Marine ecosystems
Most productive in shallow water (few 100 feet) => close to shore
The most productive marine ecosystem is a ____________ =>
Open Ocean:
Estuaries:
Freshwater Ecosystems - Lakes & Streams
Lakes
Classification of Lakes
Oligotrophic:
Eutrophic:
Mesotrophic:
Streams
Sample questions:
What is the difference between primary and secondary succession?
Which type of succession is most common for an ecosystem restoration project?
Describe each type of water body: Oligotrophic, mesotrophic, eutrophic.
What are DO and BOD?
How are these concepts used to judge water quality?
Where would find an estuary? Why are they ecologically important?
What is "biodiversity", and how is it different than "biomass"?
Describe the climate of a boreal forest, tropical rainforest, etc.
--- be able to describe the climate of any of the biomes discussed.
What is permafrost, and why does it form and remain?
What is "slash-and-burn" agriculture? Where is this kind done?
Is this kind of agriculture ecologically sound --- Why or why not?
In what sense is the open ocean like a desert?