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Biology 1050Unit 2:

Environments, Ecosystems &

Evolution

Environments, Ecosystems & Evolution

Plan to complete this module in a 3 week timeframe. Anticipated Completion Date: ______________________

Module 2 mini-tracking card.

Item Planned completion date Actual completion dateAssignment 2Lab 1: Natural SelectionAssignment 3Test

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Unit 2: Environments, Ecosystems & EvolutionOverview of UnitThe reading material for this lesson is extensive. There is no test on Chapters 3, 4, & 5. Just the assignment. There will be a lab relating to the material in Chapters 16, 17, 19 as well as an assignment and a test. Be sure to take the practice test under simulated testing conditions as this will be a better indication if you are ready for the test whose mark will be recorded. To maintain a pace that will ensure completion of this course in one academic year, your goal should be to complete this module in 3 weeks. This will include class time and extra study / work time outside of class.

Part A: Environments & Ecosystems

Chapter 3: The BiosphereChapter 3 introduces you to the meaning of ecology and how organisms interact in nature. Important cycles that exist in nature are also studied.

Important points from the chapter Living and non-living factors interact to form an environment. Observation, experimentation and modeling are important research

methods for ecologists. Photosynthesis and chemosynthesis are important processes to the

functioning of various environments. Energy flows through various levels of consumers. Consumers may be categorized into one of six groups in food webs and

interact to form energy pyramids. Water, carbon and nitrogen are cycled through the biosphere. Limiting factors for environments may be biotic or abiotic.

Your tasks for this chapter are to Read Chapter 3 in Section 2 of the course packs.Attend classes and secure an understanding of the material.Discuss any topics you are not sure about with your faculty member.

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For your assignment, complete questions 7 – 12, 17, 19 – 24, 27, 28, and 29 on pages 90 – 92.

Chapter 4: Ecosystems and CommunitiesChapter 4 defines communities from a biological perspective and looks at how communities change. Also examined in chapter 4 is the influence of climate on life, the interactions of various members of different communities of organisms and the interactions of a variety of communities within various biomes.

Important points from the chapter Climate is influenced by abiotic factors in an environment and

microclimates exist. Evidence suggests that global climates may be changing. Within an environment, various organisms exist in areas referred to as

niches. Competition between members of the same species and across species

affects populations. How organisms live together may be classified in three different ways

depending on how the organisms interact with each other. Environments change over time through processes known as

succession – primary and secondary leading to climax communities. There are 10 terrestrial biomes. Aquatic ecosystems can be divided into fresh and salt water with each

having multiple subdivisions.

Your tasks for this chapter are to Read Chapter 4 in Section 2 of the course packs.Attend classes and secure an understanding of the material.Discuss any topics you are not sure about with your faculty member.For your assignment, complete questions 6 – 12, 19, 22, 26, 30, 33 – 35 on pages 124 – 126.

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Chapter 5: PopulationsChapter 5 examines how populations grow and the various features that limit the size of populations in nature. The last section of the chapter looks at past human population growth and what is expected for 2050.

Important points from the chapter Populations of organisms are studied according to geographic range,

density and distribution (physical arrangement), growth rates, and age. Populations display a variety of growth patterns. Population growth may be positive (births and immigration higher

rates) or negative (deaths and emigration higher rates) and are influenced by a number of limiting factors.

Real world populations generally show an S-curve from establishment in an area to carrying capacity.

Human population growth rates have changed over time and are largely influenced by technological advancements.

Your tasks for this chapter are toRead Chapter 5 in Section 2 of the course packs.Attend classes and secure an understanding of the material.Discuss any topics you are not sure about with your faculty member.For your assignment, complete questions 1 – 6, 9, 11 – 16, 18, 24, and 28 on pages 148 – 149.

NOTE:

The questions above from chapters 3, 4, and 5 form Assignment 2. When answering the questions, please, indicate in which chapter each is found.

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Part B: Evolution

Chapter 16: Darwin’s Theory of EvolutionChapter 16 introduces the reader to Darwin’s Theory of Evolution. A theory that was ground breaking in the biological world. Evidence from other branches of science, as well as newer branches of biology, that supports the theory is presented. The chapter also presents an alternative theory of evolution.

Important points from the chapter Species vary globally, locally and over time Hutton’s geological work and discoveries estimated the earth’s age to

be much older than thought and forces beneath the earth’s surface affected landforms

Lyell’s “Principles of Geology” influenced Darwin’s explanations for his observations.

Lamark’s theory of evolution based on “use it or lose it” concept Malthus’s view of population growth inspired Darwin’s explanation of

natural selection Evidence of Evolution can be found in

o Biogeographyo Fossil recordso Comparative anatomyo Comparative embryologyo Genetics and molecular biology

Vocabulary

Evolution Fossil Artificial selection Natural selectionFitness Adaptation Homologous

structuresVestigial structures

Your tasks for this chapter are toRead Chapter 16 in Section 5 of the course packs.Attend classes and secure an understanding of the material.Complete the following questions from pages 476 – 478 in your text and submit as part of Assignment 3. Questions: 3 – 5, 7 – 14, 16 – 20, 25 – 30, 35

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Chapter 17: Evolution of PopulationsChapter 17 examines evolution within a population from a genetic viewpoint and investigates reasons for a single population evolving into multiple species.

Important points from the chapter The genetic content of every population has some genetic variability. Variation in gene pools are the result of mutations, recombination, and

lateral gene transfer Some characteristics are controlled by one gene and some by many

genes Natural selection changes single-gene traits and polygenic traits

frequencies differently in a population Genetic drift affects the frequency of genes within a population Multiple processes of speciation exist Vocabulary

Gene pool Allele frequency Single-gene traitGenetic drift Directional selection Stabilizing selectionBottleneck effect Founder effect Genetic equilibriumSpeciation Reproductive isolation Behavioral isolationTemporal isolation Polygenic trait Disruptive selectionSexual selection Geographic isolation

Your tasks for this chapter are toRead Chapter 17 in Section 5 of the course packs.Attend classes and secure an understanding of the material.Complete the Natural Selection LabComplete the following questions from pages 504 - 506 in your text and submit as part of Assignment 3. Questions: 1 – 5, 10, 11, 13 – 15, 17, 21, 26, 35, 36

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Chapter 19: History of LifeChapter 19 studies fossils, how they are formed and what we can learn from them. As well, theoretical information relating to earth’s early history and its connection to the evolution of lifeforms is examined.

Important points from the chapter Fossils are found in a variety of forms; most being found in

sedimentary rock. Studying fossils reveals information about extinct lifeforms, how these

lifeforms lived and earth’s various environmental conditions. Age is assigned to fossils in one of two ways: relative dating or

radiometric dating. Physical and biological factors influence environmental conditions on

earth. Evolution has followed a variety of processes and patterns throughout

time relating to speciation and extinction with varying rates. Coevolution can be an important relationship affecting more than one

species. Earth’s environmental conditions are theorized to be very different

than what we experience today. Experimental evidence has confirmed that “The Big Bang” theory (not

TV show) could be accurate. First Eukaryotic cells may have been the result of a symbiotic

relationship.

VocabularyExtinct Relative dating Index fossilsRadiometric dating Half-life MacroevolutionBackground extinction Mass extinction GradualismPunctuated equilibrium

Adaptive radiation Convergent evolution

Coevolution Endosymbiotic theory

Your tasks for this chapter are toRead Chapter 19 in Section 5 of the course packs.Attend classes and secure an understanding of the material.

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Complete the following questions from pages 566 - 568 in your text and submit as part of Assignment 3. Questions: 3 – 7, 10 – 17, 19 - 21, 25, 27, 28, 31 – 33.

After you have submitted Assignment 3, you should take the practice test for Chapters 16, 17, 19 and correct it. This will give you an indication if you have studied and understood well enough to successfully write the test for these Chapters. Pass mark is 60%

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