Chapter 2 Principles of Ecology Expectations

 By the end of the unit you should have the following completed:

 1.     Be able to define and give an example when appropriate of:

    Group A: Ecology, biosphere, abiotic factors, biotic factors, population, community, ecosystem, habitat, niche,

    Group B: autotroph, heterotrophs, scavenger, decomposer, food chain, trophic level, food web, herbivore, carnivore, omnivore

2.     All assigned reading should be read with the goal of being able to discuss/explain the information contained in them.

    Section 2.1 Organisms and their Environment            Section 2.2 Nutrition and Energy Flow  p.48-54

3.     Class notes should recorded and committed to memory.

4.     Have the following expectation questions answered in a complete sentence on a separate piece of paper:

Group 1 questions  

1.   List 3 different biotic and abiotic factors in the ecosystem surrounding your home.

2.     Give 2 examples that demonstrate the difference between the terms niche and habitat.

3.     A leaf-eating caterpillar turns into a nectar-eating butterfly.  How is this feeding behavior an advantage for this species.

4.    Clownfish are small, tropical marine fish usually found swimming among the stinging tentacles of sea anemones.   The clownfish is protected by the sea anemone but the sea anemone does not benefit from the clownfish. What type of symbiotic relationship do these animals have? Give a reason for your answer.

Group 2 questions 

1. What is the difference between an autotroph and a heterotrophs?

2. Why do autotrophs always occupy the lowest level of ecological pyramids?

3. Describe a food chain that is not presented in the reading for this chapter.  Be sure to include at least 4 links in your chain.

4. The country of Avorare has many starving people.  Should you encourage the people to grow crops such as vegetables, wheat, and corn, or is it better to encourage them to use the land to raise cattle for beef?  Give a reason for your answer.

5.The following labs should be completed:

Food Chain Rummy                            Biotic and Abiotic Factors observation

Minilab 2.1 p. 38

6.  Know how to convert from one unit to another in the metric system using the factor label method

7.     Know all the metric prefixes, their meanings and how they are related to one another.

8.     Know all material covered in class notes.

Extra Credit: Students eligible for this extra credit have all of their assigned work turned in/checked on time for the chapter.  This assignment must be passed in before the test is taken  (maximum 3 pts on test)