Standard I - Ecology

Summarize how energy flows through an ecosystem.

a) Arrange components of a food chain according to energy flow.

b) Compare the quantity of energy in the steps of an energy pyramid.

c) Describe strategies used by organisms to balance the energy expended to obtain food to the energy

gained from the food.

d) Compare the relative energy output expended by an organism in obtaining food to the energy gained

from the food.

e) Research food production in various parts of the world.

Explain relationships between matter cycles and organisms.

a) Use diagrams to trace the movement of matter through a cycle (i.e., carbon, oxygen, nitrogen, water)

in a variety of biological communities and ecosystems.

b) Explain how water is a limiting factor in various ecosystems.

c) Distinguish between inference and evidence in a newspaper, magazine, journal, or Internet article

that addresses an issue related to human impact on cycles of matter in an ecosystem and determine

the bias in the article.

d) Evaluate the impact of personal choices in relation to the cycling of matter within an ecosystem

(e.g., impact of automobiles on the carbon cycle, impact on landfills of processed and packaged

foods).

Describe the fundamental chemistry of living cells.

a) I can describe the differences in structures and functions between autotrophic and heterotrophic organisms

b) I can diagram the cycling of matter and flow of energy through photosynthesis and respiration

c) I can explain the relationship between the processes of photosynthesis and respiration

d) I can explain the differences between aerobic and anaerobic respiration and describe the advantages of aerobic respiration

e) I can perform an experiment to measure the products of photosynthesis or respiration and explain the results