Ecology and Biomes Overview

Ecology

• Ecology is the study of the interactions between organisms and their environment.
• This includes interactions between organisms and other organisms (e.g., predation, competition), and interactions between organisms and their physical environment (e.g., temperature, sunlight, water).
• Ecology is a multidisciplinary field, drawing upon principles from biology, chemistry, physics, and other sciences.

Biomes

• A biome is a large area characterized by a specific climate and the types of plants and animals that live there.
• Biomes are categorized based on factors like temperature, precipitation, and vegetation.
• Examples of biomes include tropical rainforests, deserts, grasslands, taigas, tundra, and deciduous forests.
• Biomes are dynamic systems that are constantly changing due to environmental factors.
• The organisms within a biome are adapted to the specific conditions of that environment.

Ecosystems

• An ecosystem is a community of living organisms (plants, animals, and microorganisms) and their physical environment.
• Ecosystems are dynamic and complex systems where organisms interact with each other and their surroundings.
• Ecosystems include both biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) components.
• Energy flows through ecosystems through food webs and trophic levels.
• Nutrients are cycled through ecosystems via various processes like decomposition and nutrient uptake.

Populations

• A population is a group of individuals of the same species that live in the same area and can interbreed.
• Populations can be characterized by their size, density, distribution, and growth rate.
• Population growth is influenced by birth rates, death rates, immigration, and emigration.
• Limiting factors such as food, water, and space can restrict population size.
• Factors like disease and predation also affect population dynamics.

DNA

• DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) is the molecule that carries the genetic instructions used in the development and functioning of all known living organisms.
• DNA is a double helix structure composed of nucleotides, each containing a sugar, a phosphate, and a nitrogenous base (adenine, thymine, guanine, and cytosine).
• The sequence of these bases determines the genetic code.
• DNA replication is the process of making copies of DNA before cell division.
• DNA is transcribed into RNA, which is then translated into proteins, carrying out the genetic instructions.

Photosynthesis

• Photosynthesis is the process by which green plants and some other organisms use sunlight to synthesize foods from carbon dioxide and water.
• It's crucial for producing energy in ecosystems.
• Photosynthesis occurs in chloroplasts, which contain chlorophyll.
• Chlorophyll absorbs light energy, typically from the sun.
• The process releases oxygen as a byproduct.
• Formula: 6CO₂ + 6H₂O + Light Energy → C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂ (Carbon dioxide + Water + Light Energy → Glucose + Oxygen)