The Biosphere
The biosphere is generally defined as the layer of the planet Earth in which life exists. This layerranges from heights as much as six miles above sea level, used by some birds in flight, to depths of the ocean such as the Puerto Rico trench, at more than 8 miles deep. These are the extremes; however, and in general the layer of the Earth containing life is extremely thin compared to the total radius of the earth. The upper atmosphere does not have enough oxygen to support life, and the very low temperatures make life unsustainable. Ocean depths greater than six-tenths of a mile are dark and cold, and also unable to support the vast majority of life. Compared to the overall size of the Earth, the biosphere is like the peel in relation to the size of an apple.
LESSON 1: What is Ecology?
Ecology is the study of how organisms interact with one another and with their physical environment.
Watch the following video, then write a summary of it, being sure to provide an understandable explanation of the nature of ecology. There are many very important terms in this video, so as you watch it would be wise to make a list (maybe even stop the video and write the definition) of each term.
After finishing the video you should have a list and/or definitions of the following terms.
Ecology
Biosphere
Community
Biotic Factors
Food Chains
Autotrophs
Tropic Level
Biosphere
Community
Biotic Factors
Food Chains
Autotrophs
Tropic Level
Herbivores
Omnivores
Decomposers
Population
Individual
Environment
Abiotic Factors
Omnivores
Decomposers
Population
Individual
Environment
Abiotic Factors
Primary
Producers
Consumers
Heterotroph
Carnivores
Scavengers
Detrivores
Producers
Consumers
Heterotroph
Carnivores
Scavengers
Detrivores
LESSON 2: Energy Flow
Energy is essential for the existence of all living things. It is necessary to perform various life activities. The energy occurs in many different forms and the the different forms of energy can be converted into other forms.
The Sun is the primary source of energy. There is a constant flow of energy from the sun to earth. The flow goes in one direction from the sun to plants and from the plants to animals and eventually to the decay process with the final dissipation of heat.
After watching the following video, construct your own diagram showing the energy flow from the Sun to the final distribution of heat.
The Sun is the primary source of energy. There is a constant flow of energy from the sun to earth. The flow goes in one direction from the sun to plants and from the plants to animals and eventually to the decay process with the final dissipation of heat.
After watching the following video, construct your own diagram showing the energy flow from the Sun to the final distribution of heat.
LESSON 3: Cycles of Matter
In the previous lesson we learned how energy comes into our Earth system of living organisms, and that it is a one-way event. Energy comes in, gets converted into other useful forms, but eventually ends up as being dissipated as heat.
This lesson shows how that energy is used to create CYCLES of matter, allowing the matter to be used for different functions as it is also converted from one form into another.
After watching the following video, make a list of the various Cycles of Matter mentioned. Also sketch a simple diagram or content-map of each cycle.
LESSON 5 : Block Quiz
Do Questions 1 - 10 from the Reviewing Content section on page 83 in your textbook. Place the answers in the appropriate area on Canvas.
Be prepared to explain one of your Matter Cycle diagrams to your appointment teacher.
No comments:
Post a Comment