Fall 2013 COL260 Unit-2Objectives

Objective
Unit 2
List and briefly describe four layers or spheres of the earth.
  • Atmosphere
  • Lithosphere
  • Hydrosphere
  • Biosphere.

Define ecology. Compare various organizational levels of life within a biosphere; e.g., organisms, species, population, communities, ecosystems, and biosphere.
  • Ecology
  • biotic and abiotic
  • Biosphere (life-support system)
  • organisms
  • species
  • population
  • community
  • ecosystem (field, pond, ocean, and desert ecosystems)

Briefly explain Linnaeus Taxonomy and Binomial Nomenclature. Be able to write a scientific name in proper format. Define species and hybrid.
  • Taxonomy (Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species)
  • Binomial Nomenclature; i.e. Canis lupusCanis familiaris.

Distinguish between the flow of matter and the flow of energy through the biosphere. Give examples of how energy and matter are transferred within the biosphere.
  • Flow diagram showing biotic & abiotic elements of an ecosystem
  • Biomass
Describe how organisms are classified by how they get their nutrients. Be sure to distinguish between the following sets of terms:
  • Flow of solar energy
  • Cycling of matter and energy
  • Producers (autotrophs)
  • Consumers (heterotrophs)
  • Decomposers
  • Photosynthesis
  • Herbivore,
  • carnivore, omnivore and detritivore. * Reading assignment: Many of the world’s most important organisms are invisible to us

Define the first and second laws of the thermodynamics. Apply the second law of thermodynamics (energy) to food chains and pyramids of energy, which describe energy flow in ecosystems.
  • Food chain & food web
  • Pyramid of Energy
  • 2nd law of thermodynamics; 1st law of thermodynamics
  • Ecological efficiency

Discuss productivity, its importance and factors which influence it. Give examples of areas of high, moderate, and low productivity ecosystems.
  • Gross Primary Productivity (GPP)
  • Net Primary Productivity (NPP)
  • Relations of GPP and NPP to photosynthesis and respiration
  • Example of high, moderate, and low productivity ecosystems

Define biome. Compare desert biome to two other biomes from grasslands, forests, reefs and costal mangroves. Explain how temperature and precipitation affect different biomes. Read climatograms and describe the climatic characteristics and match the biome names.
  • Biome
  • Climate and biomes
  • Desert, grassland, and forest biomes *Reading assignment: Staying alive in the desert

Explain relations between global climates (temperatures and precipitation) and distribution of biomes and primary productivity. Identify major biomes by analyzing the data presented by tables and figures.
  • Global distribution of biomes
  • Biomes and GPP/NPP
  • Biomes and biodiversity

Define the different types of water regions. Discuss biodiversity, primary productivity, and importance of aquatic life zone. Draw a simple diagram of water cycle.
  • Water planet
  • Salt water regions: open sea; ocean bottom; coastal zones (estuaries, mangrove swamps, coral reefs)
  • Fresh water regions: ponds and lakes; streams and rivers; wetlands
  • Water cycle