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Levels of biological organization

Levels of biological organization. Molecules Cells Tissues Organs Systems Individuals Populations Communities Ecosystems. the scope of ecology. Organisms interact with the environment. Features of the environment affect species distribution and abundance.

Gabriel
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Levels of biological organization

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  1. Levels of biological organization Molecules Cells Tissues Organs Systems Individuals Populations Communities Ecosystems the scope of ecology

  2. Organisms interact with the environment Features of the environment affect species distribution and abundance. - requirements for survival and reproduction - challenges to survival and reproduction

  3. Organisms interact with the environment Environment = Biotic + Abiotic • physical requirements • physical challenges What are some things that organisms need or that may present challenges?

  4. Organisms interact with the environment Important abiotic factors - temperature - light - water - salinity - pH - wind/turbulence - nutrients

  5. physical environment  species distributions What determines climate? Angle of the earth Global temperature differences influence rainfall, ocean currents, wind - intensity of sunlight - day length

  6. Variation in temperature, light, moisture:a matter of scale Macroclimate – global and regional patterns; depends on latitude, altitude, habitat type Microclimate – local scale; vegetation, rocks, burrows, slope create shade and protect from wind

  7. temperature • some species are more or less tolerant survival survival temperature Every species has an optimal temperature • different species have different optima 

  8. Optimal temperature for lizard sprinting morph a morph b sprint speed (m / sec) (Huey, R. B. and J. G. Kingsolver, 1993) lizard body temperature (oC) 1. What is the trait that differs between morphs? a. body temperature b. sprint speed c. temperature at which maximum speed is attained 2. In what kind of environment would natural selection favor individuals of morph a over those of morph b?

  9. Thermal optima are adapted to temperature I’m outta here!! temperature at which izard runs fastest (oC) mean temperature in lizard’s habitat (oC)

  10. Problems at low temperatures slower rate of cellular processes   lower physiological activity for ectotherms body temp tracks temperature of environment endotherms expend energy to stay warm use metabolic heat to regulate body temp cells can’t usually tolerate freezing

  11. Ectotherms grow slowly at cold temperatures Green frog tadpoles (Berven et al. 1979) tadpole size lowland montane temperature What limits the distribution of this frog?

  12. & substrate enzyme high temperature Problems at high temperatures protein stability moderate temperature loss of water to stay cool evaporative cooling

  13. Coping with extreme temperatures behavior: • choice of microclimate - migration

  14. Coping with extreme temperatures escape in time: • dormancy spores, seeds, cysts can often survive freezing or fire • hibernation, torpor endotherms reduce metabolism to conserve energy

  15. Coping with extreme temperatures structures: • fur, feathers, fat • coloration reflect or absorb light • surface area : volume Everything Alaska Phillip Greenspun Lake Superior Zoo

  16. lichen (Cladina stellaris ) optimal temperature for photosynthesis fall summer Coping with extreme temperatures acclimation: physiological adjustment leads to tolerance

  17. Abiotic factors that can affect organisms • temperature • light • moisture • wind • nutrients • salinity • pH

  18. Conserving water • physiological adaptations: • nasal passages and kidneys • of kangaroo rats • CAM plants close stomata • during the daytime

  19. Conserving water • protective coverings: • waxy coatings on leaves • waterproof skin • eggshells

  20. many marine fish are hypoosmotic = H2O = Na+Cl- Salinity is an osmotic challenge osmoregulation = regulation of salts versus water drink seawater and excrete salt

  21. freshwater fish are hyperosmotic = H2O = Na+Cl- Salinity is an osmotic challenge osmoregulation = regulation of salts versus water excrete water

  22. Salinity is an osmotic challenge osmoregulation = regulation of salts versus water many marine invertebrates are isosmotic = H2O = Na+Cl-

  23. What is the niche? set of conditions within which an organism can maintain a viable population multi-dimensional with as many dimensions as their are limiting conditions ecological niche light intensity okay temperature salinity

  24. Energy flow through ecosystems sunlight CO2 plants energy detritivores herbivores carbon carnivores energy & carbon

  25. Energy flow through ecosystems sunlight CO2 adaptations to acquiring CO2 adaptations to being eaten plants adaptations to eating plants detritivores herbivores adaptations to being eaten carnivores adaptations to eating animals

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