Biotic Relationships: Commensalism, Niche, Parasitism

Niche An organism’s ecological ROLE in the environment (NOT HABITAT!) All components of lifestyle and how they affect other organisms Three Types of Symbiosis Mutualism both species benefit Commensalism one species benefits, the other is unaffected Parasitism one species benefits, the other is harmed Lichen Lichen is really two organisms: algae and fungus. The fungus…

KINGDOM ANIMALIA: General Characteristics of Animals

Characteristics of Life Living things are organized. Living things are made up of cells. Living things metabolize. Living things maintain an internal environment. Living things grow. Living things respond. Living things reproduce. Living things evolve. Seven Levels of Taxonomic Classification Kingdom Phylum Class Order Family Genus Species Kingdom Animalia Characteristics All animals are multicellular, eukaryotic…

Kingdom: Fungi Characteristics & Structure

Mycology Myco- = fungus -ology= study of General Characteristics of Fungi: Eukaryotic Decomposers – the best recyclers around No chlorophyll – non-photosynthetic Most multicellular (hyphae) – some unicellular (yeast) Non-motile Cell walls made of chitin (kite-in) instead of cellulose like that of a plant Are more related to animals than the plant kingdom Lack true…

Phylum Arthropoda, Echinodermata, Chordata

The largest animal phylum- 1 million species of crabs, shrimp, spiders, scorpions, and insects make up this phylum Have jointed appendages; segmented bodies Exoskeletons made of chitin Molt;  have heads with many sensory organs. Bilateral Simple and complex eyes that detect only light intensity and form images Antennae that smell chemical substances in the environment…

Conservation Biology: Extinction, Habitat Loss, Invasive Species, Overexploitation

SPECIES EXTINCTION Species can become extinct: Locally: A species is no longer found in an area it once inhabited but is still found elsewhere in the world. Ecologically: Occurs when so few members of a species are left they no longer play its ecological role. Globally (biologically): Species is no longer found on the earth.…

How Rocks Form: Igneous Rocks, Sedimentary Rocks, Metamorphic Rocks

Why Study Rocks? -Many, many uses! – writing tools (chalk, pencils), building materials (marble, concrete), fuels (coal), scouring powder (pumice, sand), weapons (flint, obsidian) Rock: a group of minerals bound together –  Found in the Earth’s crust and mantle The Rock Cycle: the continuous process of rock formation and change – Presents a “map” of the…