Ecology, Part I: The Ecosystem

DOWNLOAD THE SLIDES FOR ECOLOGY HERE!
(EDIT: Sorry, uploaded the wrong file before. The new URL links to the Ecosystems Powerpoint)

YOU NEED TO KNOW HOW TO:

1. State that the Sun is the principal source of energy input to biological systems
2. Describe the non-cyclical nature of energy flow
3. Define the following terms and establish the relationship of each in food webs: producer, consumer, herbivore, carnivore, decomposer, food chain
4. Describe energy losses between trophic levels and infer the advantages of short food chains
5. Describe and interpret pyramids of numbers, of biomass and of energy.
   
6. Describe and state the importance of the carbon cycle
7. Describe the nitrogen cycle in making available nitrogen for plant and animal protein, including the role of bacteria in nitrogen fixation, decomposition and nitrification (details of denitrification and the names of individual bacteria are not required)
8. Understand the role of the mosquito as a vector of disease
9. Describe the malaria pathogen as an example of a parasite and describe the transmission and control of the malarial pathogen (details of the life cycle of the pathogen are not required)

VIDEOS:

1. WHAT IS AN ECOSYSTEM?




2. THE FOOD CHAIN



3. THE CARBON CYCLE



4. THE NITROGEN CYCLE (CLICK TO WATCH!)

5. MALARIA




NEXT TOPIC:

- ECOLOGY, PART II: HUMAN EFFECTS ON ECOSYSTEMS

P.S. The highest marks in Course Assessment #1 (Term 2) are as follows:

• JOSIAH - 95
• BRANDON - 93 (also most improved student)
  
• NISSANA - 92
• CHRISTOPHER - 92
• KRYSTAL - 90
  
• LAURA - 90

Congratulations!