Objectives Abstraction Recitation Activity Assignment

Module 1: BASIC
ECOLOGICAL CONCEPTS
 Lesson 1:
The Levels of
Organization
Living systems demonstrate a unique and complex hierarchical organization. Each level
builds on the level below it and has its own internal structure, which is often hierarchical.
These hierarchical levels are in order. You are the best example of a living thing. Your
body is composed of many parts. Each part has its own function. You use your eyes to see
what is around you. You have ears to collect sound waves. You have your feet for walking.
All of the parts of living things are interrelated. They do not work alone but as a whole.
One part interacts with another part. Have you ever asked yourself” what is inside these
body parts that enable them to carry out their function? Let’s find out!
Living things are highly organized following a
hierarchy that includes atoms, molecules,
organelles, cells, tissues organs, and organ
systems. Organisms, in turn, are grouped as
populations, communities, ecosystems and the
biosphere.
The atom is the smallest and most fundamental
unit of matter. It consists of a nucleus surrounded
by electrons. Atoms form molecules which are
chemical structures consisting of at least two
atoms held together by one or more chemical
bonds.
 Many molecules that are biologically important are
macromolecules, large molecules that are typically
formed by polymerization (a polymer is a large molecule
that is made by combining smaller units called
monomers, which are simpler than macromolecules).
 Macromolecules can form aggregates
within a cell that are surrounded by membranes;
called organelles. Examples of these includes
mitochondria produce energy to power the cell
while chloroplasts enable green plants to utilize
the energy in sunlight to make sugars.
All living things are made of cells and the cell
itself is the smallest fundamental unit of structure
and function in living organisms.
 
In larger organisms, cells combine to make
tissues, which are groups of similar cells carrying
out similar or related functions.
Organs are collections of tissues grouped together
performing a common function. Organs are present not only
in animals but also in plants. An organ system is a higher
level of organization that consists of functionally related
organs. Mammals have many organ systems.
 Furthermore, organisms are individual
living entities. For example, each tree in a forest
is an organism. All the individuals of a species
living within a specific area are collectively
called a population. For example, a forest may
include many pine trees. A community is the sum
of populations inhabiting a particular area..
 An ecosystem consists of all the living things
in a particular area together with the abiotic, non-
living parts of that environment such as nitrogen
in the soil or rain water.
 At the highest level of organization, the biosphere is the
collection of all ecosystems and it represents the zones of
life on earth. It includes land, water and even the atmosphere
to a certain extent. Taken together, all of these levels
comprise the biological levels of organization, which range
from organelles to the biosphere.
Lesson 2:
Energy Flow in an Ecosystem
 A food chain is the transfer of energy in the form of food from one
organism to another. Sun as the main source of energy. Producers
are organisms that make their own food. Plants manufacture food
through the process of photosynthesis using energy from the sun.
Chlorophyll absorbs sunlight, allowing plant cells to combine
carbon dioxide and water to produce food in the form of
carbohydrates and release oxygen as by-product..
A food web is a system of overlapping food chains. A
consumer in one food chain often eats organisms in
another food chain. Each step in a food chain or food
web is called a trophic level. Producers make up the
first trophic level. Consumers make up higher trophic
levels. Each consumer depends on the trophic level
below it for energy.
 Lesson 3:
Species Interactions
Parasitism (+,-) is an interaction that harms one species and
benefits the other species. A parasite lives on or in a host
organism.
Predation- Other types of interactions that harm
one species and benefit the other are predation
(+,-) where a predator eats its prey.
Competition (-, -) is an interaction that harms
both species. Two species are competing for a
limited resource. This reduces the fitness of one
or both of the species.
Mutualism (+, +) is a type of interaction where
both species benefit each other. For example,
bees and flowers have a mutualistic relationship.
The flowers need to bees to pollinate them so
their seeds can be fertilized. Bees need flowers to
make honey for their hives..
Commensalism (+, 0) is an interaction that
benefits one species and does not affect the other
species at all. For example, while cattle graze in
fields they unintentionally stir up insects that
were resting in the grass.
 Topic:
References: CTTO
  

Special Thanks to:

Our Heavenly Father,

may every creature be BLESSED!