Module 5
Module 5
Module 5 involves the way organisms interact within the environment. Chapters 45 and 46 are covered together. The end of this module is a final exam covering all information in the course. This cover page provides Module 5 Learning Objectives, a question answered by each chapter and chapter summaries.
- Relate heredity and evolution to organisms and ecosystems
- Apply scientific inquiry to predict outcomes
- Classify and compare major groups of organisms
Learning Objectives Chapter 44
What is biogeography? How does it influence life?
- Define the study of ecology and some areas of focus within the field
- Recognize the role of biotic and abiotic factors in biogeography
- Define primary productivity in ecosystems
Ecology is the study of the way living things interact with their environment. Areas of ecology can focus on organisms, populations, communities and ecosystems. Biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) factors play a role in biogeography. Biotic populations compete for resources, and abiotic factors of latitude and elevation play a role in resource availability. Primary productivity measures the amount of biomass produced by a biome and includes microbes.
Learning Objectives Chapter 45-46
What are cells doing in the environment?
- Recognize the dynamic nature of populations and behaviors
- Identify the role of macromolecules in protocell formation and the theory of endosymbiosis
- Recognize the role of decomposers in ecosystems
Chapter 45-46 Summary
Populations are individuals of a species that live in a particular habitat. Both populations and habitats are dynamic, exposed to change and interrelated. Ecologists measure characteristics of populations, like size, density, dispersion pattern, age structure, and sex ratio. Life tables are useful to calculate life expectancies of individual population members. Populations are dynamic, and so are behaviors. Spontaneous lipid formation and (-) charge of nucleotides could explain the development of the structures that gave rise to prokaryotes. Endosymbiosis is the theory that photosynthetic bacteria were engulfed to form chloroplasts and aerobic bacteria to form mitochondria. Bacteria and fungi are decomposers vital to ecosystems. Organisms in an ecosystem acquire energy in a variety of ways, which is transferred between trophic levels as energy flows from the bottom to the top of the food web, with energy being lost at each transfer. This involves producers, consumers and decomposers. Mineral nutrients are cycled through ecosystems and their environment. Of particular importance are water, carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulfur.
Learning Objectives Chapter 47
How does variety help populations?
- Define biodiversity and mass extinction
- Recognize threats to biodiversity
- Identify efforts to preserving biodiversity
Biodiversity exists at multiple levels of organization and is measured in different ways depending on the scientific goals of those taking the measurements. Estimates for the total number of species on Earth vary but are on the order of 10 million. Biodiversity can be measured in species, genetic, chemical and ecosystem diversity. Mass extinction events with existing species losses >50% have been described five times in the fossil record. Threats to biodiversity include habitat loss and over harvesting. Efforts to preserve biodiversity include DNA barcoding, conservation and habitat restoration.
This is the time to prepare for a cumulative final exam covering all five modules.
