lecture 2 abiotic and biotic environment.pptVIP

Levels of biological organization Molecules Cells Tissues Organs Systems Individuals Populations Communities Ecosystems Organisms interact with the environment Features of the environment affect species distribution and abundance. ? - requirements for survival and reproduction - challenges to survival and reproduction Organisms interact with the environment Environment = Biotic + Abiotic Organisms interact with the environment Important abiotic factors - temperature - light - water - salinity - pH - wind/turbulence - nutrients What determines climate? Angle of the earth Global temperature differences influence rainfall, ocean currents, wind Variation in temperature, light, moisture:a matter of scale Macroclimate – global and regional patterns; depends on latitude, altitude, habitat type Microclimate – local scale; vegetation, rocks, burrows, slope create shade and protect from wind Every species has an optimal temperature different species have different optima? Optimal temperature for lizard sprinting Problems at low temperatures slower rate of cellular processes ? ? lower physiological activity for ectotherms body temp tracks temperature of environment endotherms expend energy to stay warm use metabolic heat to regulate body temp cells can’t usually tolerate freezing Problems at high temperatures protein stability Coping with extreme temperatures behavior: choice of microclimate - migration Coping with extreme temperatures escape in time: dormancy spores, seeds, cysts can often survive freezing or fire hibernation, torpor endotherms reduce metabolism to conserve energy Coping with extreme temperatures structures: fur, feathers, fat coloration reflect or absorb light surface area : volume Coping with extreme temperatures acclimation: physiological adjustment leads to tolerance Abiotic factors that can affect organisms Conserving water Conserving water Salinity is an osmotic challenge osmoregulation = regulation of salts ver