The Living World

1. The Living World

2. Photosynthesis • Photosynthesis is the process by which plants produce food. • Plants contain chlorophyll in its leaves. This chemical absorbs light energy. • The plant then produces glucose, a natural sugar. • It is this sugar that allows the plant to stay healthy and produce fruit.

3. During this process plants take in sunlight (light source). • Plants also take in Carbon Dioxide (CO2) • The products of this process are sugar and oxygen.

5. Classification of Species • There are millions of different living organisms on earth. • Modern science has identified a little over 2 million. • Scientists estimate that there could be between 5-100 million species on earth. • Many of these species live in very inaccessible areas on earth. Ex: deep oceans, caves, and mountain sides.

6. Living organisms include everything from humans, to plants, to viruses. • Species: is a characteristic for identifying organisms. • Another definition is: a group of organisms that have many characteristic in common and can mate successfully. (Reproduction) • In biology, the process of classifying species is called taxonomy.

7. What are some examples of species? • Humans • Dogs • Cats • All of the species above have many characteristics in common and can mate successfully. • Although there are variations. Ex: skin color, size, types of fur.

8. The method that biologists have created is called biological classification. • There are 8 criteria for classifying species. • Domain • Kingdom • Phylum • Class • Order • Family • Genus • Species

10. One way to remember these names: DUMB KING PHILLIP CALLED OUT FOR GREEN SPAGHETTI

11. Habitat • Every living organism lives in a habitat. • A habitat: is a space where an organism or group of organisms will live. • A single habitat could be home to thousands of different species. • A habitat could be anything. For example a tree is home to birds, animals, and insects

13. EcologicalNiche • Every species has a habitat in which they live. • Each one of these species has a very specific role within this habitat. • Ecological niche: refers to the place in which a species lives as well as their role in that habitat. • For example: a tree lives in a forest and provides shade, homes for animals and insects and food.

14. Ecosystem • An ecosystem refers to all physical (non-living) and biological (living) components of a particular area. • Living things live in ecosystems. • There are many conditions that are necessary for different species to share the same space. • For example: it is very difficult for other species to share the same space as humans

16. Population • The population of a species is comparable to the population of a city or country. • The population of a species rises and falls as more organisms are born or die. • The more organisms the stronger the population of a species. • Many things can effect the population of a species.

17. Factors that may decrease the population of a species • Pollution • Increase in human population and growing cities • War, chemical/oil spills and other human actions (poaching/hunting). • Natural disasters (volcanoes, hurricanes, etc.) • Competition (introduction of a new species) • Global warming • Lack of adaptation

18. Factors that may increase the population of a species • Decrease in human population • Introduction of a species into a new area. • Lack of natural checks. Checks are factors that keep the population at an acceptable level. (diseases, predators, etc) • Increase in birth rate and low death rate • Human actions (chemical spills) • Hunting one species may increase the population of another species.

19. What could happen if the population of a species gets too large? Too small?

20. Evolution • Over the years the theory of evolution has raised many issues. • There has been debate between the religious and scientific communities. • From the religious point of view all living organisms were created by God. • This belief is usually called “Creationism”

21. From the scientific point of view all organisms have developed over millions of years. • Organisms developed through a series of physical and behavioural adaptations. • This is called the theory of evolution. • Adaptations: process whereby an organism becomes suited to its habitat. • These adaptations could be physical: color change, larger/smaller, skin change, loss or gain of appendages ( ex: wings)

22. Behavioural adaptations: reproduction, finding food, building homes. • In 1809 Lamarck created the theory that species evolve and change to fit into their habitat. • In 1835 Charles Darwin created the theory of Natural selection (survival of the fittest) after working in the Galapagos islands. • The stronger the species the better chance of survival. • Species get stronger as species adapt.

23. The Earth

24. What makes our Planet Different from others?

25. The only known planet that has life. • Has a large supply of oxygen. • Large supply of water. • A protective ozone layer • How would you describe our planet to someone or something who has never seen it before? • What are some of the Earth’s properties?

26. Internal Structure of the Earth • The Earth is made up of four layers. • Crust • Mantle • Outer Core • Inner Core • The Earth also has an exterior structure called the atmosphere.

28. Earth’s Structure: Crust • For all living organisms the crust is the most important part of the Earth. • The crust houses all life present on Earth. • The crust of the Earth is between 5-50km thick. • The thinnest parts of the crust are the ocean floors, the thickest are mountain chains. • The crust sits on top of the mantle. The mantle is liquid.

30. The crust is not all one solid piece. Over time it has broken into smaller pieces. • These pieces are called tectonic plates. • The crust has all of the properties that life needs to survive. • It experiences changes in temperature, weather, and precipitation. • It is the part of the Earth that is most effected by Global warming. • It is also effected by pollution created by humans.

31. The Mantle • The second layer of the Earth is the Mantle. • The mantle is the thickest layer of the Earth. It extends to a depth of over 2800km. • This layer is made up of liquid rock. • There is incredible pressure and heat that forms in this layer.

33. The Crust floats on the top of the mantle in giant pieces called tectonic plates. • These plates move around and cause earthquakes and volcanoes. • The mantle is constantly in motion. • This movement causes the tectonic plates scrape and hit each other, which is an earthquake. • Volcanoes form when two plates crash into each other. • Volcanoes are the earth’s cooling system and pressure release.

37. The Core • The core is the innermost layer of the Earth. It is usually divided into outer core and inner core. • Although there is no confirmed theories the most probable is that the outer core is liquid metal mostly iron and nickel. • With this theory scientists argue that the core is a solid ball of iron.

38. The core is the heaviest layer of the earth. • It is believed that this layer give the earth it’s gravity and magnetism. • Magnetism is a force. It is this force that causes compass needles to point north. • This is what we call magnetic north.

39. The Atmosphere • The atmosphere is a layer of gases that surround the Earth. • The Atmosphere has two basic functions. • To protect life on Earth. • To sustain life on Earth. • The Atmosphere protects Earth from UV radiation from the sun. • Moreover, it burns up small pieces of debris that may fall to Earth (rocks).

40. The Atmosphere also sustains life on Earth, since it supplies us with oxygen. • It also regulates climate and temperature, it keeps in necessary heat and releases excess heat. • Our atmosphere is composed of 78% Nitrogen, 21% Oxygen, and 1% other gases. • The Atmosphere consists of 5 layers. • Troposphere, Stratosphere, Mesosphere, Thermosphere, Exosphere.

42. The troposphere is the layer that is closest to the Earth. It extends about 20 km from the surface of the Earth. • Humans have reached the Thermosphere with the space shuttle. • However, the Exosphere is still relatively unexplored.

43. Hydrosphere • The hydrosphere refers to the layer of water that surrounds the Earth. • 71% of the Earth’s surface is covered by water. Most of this is found in the Earth’s oceans and seas. • The hydrosphere is home to millions of plant and animal species. • The hydrosphere includes oceans, lakes, rivers, streams, as well as ice and glaciers.

44. Water vapour and clouds also make up part of the Hydrosphere. • The hydrosphere is responsible for the hydrologic cycle also called the “Water Cycle”. • This cycle is what gives us precipitation. • Water will evaporate and form into clouds, when clouds contain too much water it is released as precipitation (rain, hail, sleet, snow). • This process is vital for all life on earth. Every living thing needs water to survive.

46. Lithosphere • The Lithosphere is the rigid outer layer that surrounds the Earth. • The Lithosphere is made up of the Crust and the uppermost part of the Mantle. • Scientists include the tectonic plates when talking about the Lithosphere. • The Lithosphere extends to a depth of roughly 100km.

47. Ozone Layer • The Ozone layer is a collection of ozone (O3) gas. • This layer is located in the lower half of the stratosphere. • This layer is located between 10-50km above the Earth. • The ozone layer protects all life on earth, by blocking most of the sun’s UV radiation.

49. In recent years the Ozone layer has become increasingly damaged. • In fact a hole has developed. • The damage comes from pollution. Specifically the increased amounts of CFC’s in the atmosphere. • CFC’s are present in car exhaust, industrial smoke, and aerosols. • These chemicals attack and destroy ozone molecules. • What are the threats and consequences of a damaged ozone layer?