Download UNIT 2: ECOLOGICAL BIOCHEMISTRY 2C: CHEMISTRY OF

UNIT 2: ECOLOGICAL BIOCHEMISTRY
2C: CHEMISTRY OF ECOLOGY
Roadmap for the year:
Unit 1: Interconnectedness of Life
Unit 2: Ecological Biochemistry
 2A- Basic Chemistry
 2B- Biochemistry
 2C- Chemistry of Ecology
 2D- Human Impact
Unit 3: Cellular Biology: Structure Leads to Function
Unit 4: DNA Structure and Cellular Reproduction
Unit 5: Gene Expression and Inheritance
Unit 6: Evolution and Classification of Living Things
Unit 7: Biotechnology, Human Biology, and Disease
Themes for the year:
How does this unit contribute to
your understanding of the
following themes?
 Life on Earth has various
Levels of Organization
 The Structure of Living
Things leads to their
Function
The Big Picture for Unit 2…
Living organisms are made of molecules that react with each other in predictable ways.
There are four main groups of biological molecules that make up the structure of living
things and control their functioning. The existence of life on Earth depends on interactions
among organisms and between organisms and their environment. Matter cycles through
ecosystems with a constant input of energy
 What is the relationship between chemistry and biology?
 What role do biological molecules play in sustaining and controlling life?
 How do enzymes control the rate of reactions?
 What are some of the roles of the organisms in ecosystems?
 How does an organism’s structure enable it to survive in its environment?
 Why do you find similar groups of organisms in similar environments around the
Earth?
 Why is the cycling of matter important to life on earth?
 What factors affect population size and how does the size of a population size affect
its environment?
 How do human activities shape local and global ecology?
Suggested Resources…
Homework Assignments
Classwork Assignments
Laboratory Activities
Formative Assessments
Textbook (30.2, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 4.2)
Directions: Below are check lists of things you should know and things you should be
able to do by the end of the unit. Use this tool to help you prepare for the unit assessment.
By the conclusion of this unit, you should
know the following:
1. The sun is the ultimate source of energy
for most ecosystems. As a result,
organisms exhibit different strategies to
obtain this energy (directly or indirectly).
2. Energy relationships can be represented in
a graphical depiction called a pyramid.
3. There are 2 major types of biological
molecules that provide energy for
organisms (carbohydrates and lipids).
4. Elements can cycle in various molecular
forms through the biosphere. The carbon,
oxygen, nitrogen, and water cycles are
examples essential to life.
5. Matter cycles through food chains but
energy must continually be supplied.
6. There are varying levels of biodiversity
found in the different biomes.
7. Species may exhibit an interdependence
with one or more species termed
symbiosis.
By the conclusion of this unit, you should
be able to do the following:
1. Identify the three types (energy,
biomass, & numbers) of ecological
pyramids.
2. Illustrate the relationship between
photosynthesis and cell respiration.
3. Illustrate conservation of energy and
matter in the form of energy and
biomass pyramids.
4. Explain the role of bacteria in the N
cycle.
5. Explain how decomposition plays a
role in the cycling of carbon, oxygen
and nitrogen.
6. Describe how water cycles through the
biosphere.
7. Compare and contrast the flow of
energy and matter through an
ecosystem.
8. Identify different types of symbiosis.
9. Identify the three types of symbiotic
relationships in nature.
CHEMISTRY OF ECOLOGY KEY TERMS
Words found in the textbook:
1. Biogeochemical Cycle
2. Nutrients
3. Limiting Nutrient
4. Nitrogen Fixation
5. Denitrification
6. Decomposer
7. Cellular Respiration
8. Photosynthesis
9. Herbivory
10.Keystone Species
11.Mutualism
12.Commensalism
13.Predation
14.Symbiosis
Words found in various pages in textbook:
15.Water Cycle (pg 81)
16.Carbon Cycle (pg 82)
17.Nitrogen Cycle (pg 84)
Words NOT found in the textbook (use the notes/PowerPoint):
18.Condensation
19.Groundwater
20.Precipitation
21.Runoff
22.Combustion
23.Evaporation
24.Transpiration
25.Fossil Fuels
26.Parasitism
27.Competition
28.Eutrophication