Download The Organization of Life

The Organization of Life
Chapter 4
Susquehanna River Ecosystem
 Draw all 10 circled items from the list, PLUS 5 more
uncircled items of your choice.
 Randomly scatter these items on your table.
 This is not a mural or picture of what the Susquehanna River
looks like!
 Label the biotic factors (LIVING components) with a “B”.
Label the abiotic factors (NONLIVING components) with
an “A”.
 Draw lines showing connections between components of
this ecosystem. On each line, write what the connection is
(1 or 2 words).
Section 1:
Ecosystems: Everything Is Connected
 Ecosystem
 All of the organisms living in an area together with their
physical environment
 Oak forest, coral reef, vacant lot
 Connected: no clear boundaries
Section 1:
Ecosystems: Everything Is Connected
 The Components of an Ecosystem
 Basic components: energy, mineral nutrients, carbon
dioxide, water, oxygen, living organisms
 Biotic factors: the living and once living parts of an
ecosystem
 Plants, animals, bacteria, dead organisms & dead parts, waste products
 Abiotic factors: the nonliving parts of the ecosystem
 Air, water, rocks, sand, light, temperature
Section 1:
Ecosystems: Everything Is Connected
 The Organization of Living Things
 Organism: an individual living thing
 Species: a group of organisms that can mate to
produce fertile offspring
 Population: all the members of the same species
that live in the same place at the same time
 Community: a group of various species that live in
the same place and interact with each other
 Ecosystem
 Biosphere
Section 1:
Ecosystems: Everything Is Connected
 Habitat
 the place an organism lives
 Has specific biotic & abiotic factors