Intro
This unit was focused on ecology, the study of the interactions between living things and their environments. We learned about everything from ecosystems to cellular respiration. The project for this unit was focused on researching an animal or ecosystem that is endangered and finding a way to help it.
Our group decided to research the green sea turtle. The sea turtle is an incredible animal because they have been around for millions of years. Sea turtles have around the same lifespan as humans do, around 80 years. Sea turtles are endangered due to the impact humans have had on their environment. The biggest killer of sea turtles is plastic and trash, so we decided to focus our solution on that. Our group did a beach clean up to do our part in reducing the amount of trash that is in our oceans.
Our group decided to research the green sea turtle. The sea turtle is an incredible animal because they have been around for millions of years. Sea turtles have around the same lifespan as humans do, around 80 years. Sea turtles are endangered due to the impact humans have had on their environment. The biggest killer of sea turtles is plastic and trash, so we decided to focus our solution on that. Our group did a beach clean up to do our part in reducing the amount of trash that is in our oceans.
Key Concepts
Photosynthesis- Photosynthesis is the process where plants turn sunlight into glucose that they can use for energy. It takes place in the chloroplasts.
6CO2 + 6H2O + Light = C6H12O6 + 6O2. Photosynthesis affects sea turtles because the grass that they eat uses photosynthesis to live.
- Light Dependent Reaction- Occurs in the thylakoid membranes. Uses H20 and light energy to produce O2, ATP, and NADPH.
- Light Independent Reaction (Calvin Cycle)- Also known as carbon fixation. It occurs in the stroma. Uses the ATP and NADPH from the light reaction as well as CO2 to produce glucose.
Cellular respiration- The process that turns glucose into ATP energy. C6H12O6 + 6O2 = 6CO2 + 6H2O + ATP. Sea turtles use cellular respiration to make energy and survive.
- Glycolysis- Takes place in the cytoplasm and does not require oxygen. Starts with glucose and 2 ATP and creates 2 ATP, 2 pyruvate, and 2 NADH.
- Krebs Cycle- Occurs in the mitochondria and requires oxygen. Uses the pyruvate and NADH from glycolysis to produce FADH2 and NADH, as well as a waste product of CO2
- Electron Transport Chain- Occurs in the mitochondria and requires oxygen. Uses the products from the Krebs Cycle to create a large amount of ATP, as well as waste products of H2O and heat.
ATP- Stands for adenosine triphosphate. When the high energy bond between the last two phosphates is broken energy is released. We use this energy to live. ATP is what sea turtles use for energy.
Energy Flow- Energy goes from one organism to another when they are eaten. However, only 10% of the energy is transferred between each level. Sea turtles get energy from the plants that they eat.
Ecological Pyramids- The pyramids are used to show the structure of the trophic levels in a food chain. Sea turtles and their ecosystem all belong in a pyramid, and they can be used to study their ecosystem.
- Pyramid of Numbers- Compares the number of organisms in each level. The largest number of organisms is at the bottom.
- Biomass Pyramid- Shows the amount of living matter in a food chain, based on the weight of organisms.
- Energy Pyramids- Shows the transfer of energy through the food chain, and compares the amount of energy at each level. The most energy is at the bottom and the least is at the top.
Organization of Ecology- Individual --> Population --> Community --> Ecosystems --> Biome --> Biosphere. The sea turtles are a population. The Biome they are in is the marine biome.
- Individual- A single living organism
- Population- A group of individuals of the same species that live in the same area
- Community- Populations of different species interacting with each other
- Ecosystems- How the communities interact with their environments. Both the biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living).
- Biome- Group of ecosystems that have the same climate and similar communities
- Biosphere- Where all life exists in the world. The ecosphere (living organisms), the lithosphere (land), the hydrosphere (water), and the atmosphere (air).
Food Chain- Food chains show many things about an ecosystem. They tell you what organism eats which other organisms, as well as what trophic level that organism is on. The arrows show the transfer of energy from one organism to another. Sea turtles are between grass, which they eat, and sharks, which eat them, in their food chain.
Symbiosis- This describes the relationship and interactions that different organisms have with each other. There are many different types of this.
- Parasitism- harms one species and benefits the other
- Competition- harms both species
- Mutualism- both species benefit
- Commensalism- one species benefits and the other is not affected
Sea turtles interact with many different species. One example of sea turtles symbiosis is mutualism with surgeonfish. The fish clean of the sea turtles, which makes it easier for the turtles to swim and gives the fish a meal.
Human Impact- The effect that humans have had on the world around us, like polluting our atmosphere and our water, destroying habitats, and causing mass extinctions. This impact is due to many things. One big cause if the burning of fossil fuels. Fossil fuels such as oil and coal are burned, which releases greenhouse gasses like CO2 into the atmosphere. Greenhouse gasses trap heat inside our atmosphere, which causes a global rise in temperature. Human impact has affected green sea turtles greatly. They are endangered largely due to the amount of plastic humans have dumped in the ocean, which turtles can ingest or choke on.
Limiting Factors- They cause the population growth the decrease. Some limiting factors are food, water, and space. Some limiting factors for sea turtles are the amount of open water for them to live in and the amount of grass available for them to eat.
Density Dependent vs Independent- Density dependent means that the factor is dependent on the size, such as food, water, and space. Density independent means that the factor isn't dependent on the population size, such as natural disasters, unusual weather, and human activities. Some density dependent factors in the sea turtles' ecosystem are food (grass) and the water they live in. Some density independent factors for sea turtles are pollution from oil and plastic.
Carrying Capacity- The number of organisms a habitat can support. This is determined by how much space and how many resources are available. The carrying capacity for sea turtles is determined by things like the amount of sea grass and the amount of amount available.
Biodiversity- Biodiversity is the diversity of life on Earth. There is a variety of life and ecosystems that make up our planet. Each ecosystem is made up of many different types of plants and animals that all work together to make the ecosystem function properly. Biodiversity increases the productivity and overall well-being of the ecosystem. Without it many species would not be able to survive. Sea turtles live in the ocean, which is a very diverse ecosystem. There are many different organisms that all play a role, such as sea grass, turtles, sharks, and surgeonfish, among many others. These organisms all directly affect each other.
Autotroph- They use energy from the environment to create their food. Most autotrophs use sunlight (photosynthesis, but some are able to use chemicals (chemosynthesis). An autotroph in the green sea turtles' ecosystem is the sea grass that they eat.
Heterotroph- They get their energy from other organisms. Sea turtles are heterotrophs. When they are young they are omnivores that eat seagrass, insects, crustaceans, and worms. When they are adults they are herbivores that mainly eat sea grass, and sometimes algae.
- Herbivore- eats only plants
- Carnivore- eats only animals
- Omnivore- eats both plants and animals
- Detrivores- eats plant and animal remains and other dead matter
- Decomposers- breaks down organic matter
Trophic Levels- Ecology is organized into different trophic levels. Producers --> First level consumers --> 2nd level consumers --> top level consumers. Sea turtles eat grass, so they are a first level consumer.
6CO2 + 6H2O + Light = C6H12O6 + 6O2. Photosynthesis affects sea turtles because the grass that they eat uses photosynthesis to live.
- Light Dependent Reaction- Occurs in the thylakoid membranes. Uses H20 and light energy to produce O2, ATP, and NADPH.
- Light Independent Reaction (Calvin Cycle)- Also known as carbon fixation. It occurs in the stroma. Uses the ATP and NADPH from the light reaction as well as CO2 to produce glucose.
Cellular respiration- The process that turns glucose into ATP energy. C6H12O6 + 6O2 = 6CO2 + 6H2O + ATP. Sea turtles use cellular respiration to make energy and survive.
- Glycolysis- Takes place in the cytoplasm and does not require oxygen. Starts with glucose and 2 ATP and creates 2 ATP, 2 pyruvate, and 2 NADH.
- Krebs Cycle- Occurs in the mitochondria and requires oxygen. Uses the pyruvate and NADH from glycolysis to produce FADH2 and NADH, as well as a waste product of CO2
- Electron Transport Chain- Occurs in the mitochondria and requires oxygen. Uses the products from the Krebs Cycle to create a large amount of ATP, as well as waste products of H2O and heat.
ATP- Stands for adenosine triphosphate. When the high energy bond between the last two phosphates is broken energy is released. We use this energy to live. ATP is what sea turtles use for energy.
Energy Flow- Energy goes from one organism to another when they are eaten. However, only 10% of the energy is transferred between each level. Sea turtles get energy from the plants that they eat.
Ecological Pyramids- The pyramids are used to show the structure of the trophic levels in a food chain. Sea turtles and their ecosystem all belong in a pyramid, and they can be used to study their ecosystem.
- Pyramid of Numbers- Compares the number of organisms in each level. The largest number of organisms is at the bottom.
- Biomass Pyramid- Shows the amount of living matter in a food chain, based on the weight of organisms.
- Energy Pyramids- Shows the transfer of energy through the food chain, and compares the amount of energy at each level. The most energy is at the bottom and the least is at the top.
Organization of Ecology- Individual --> Population --> Community --> Ecosystems --> Biome --> Biosphere. The sea turtles are a population. The Biome they are in is the marine biome.
- Individual- A single living organism
- Population- A group of individuals of the same species that live in the same area
- Community- Populations of different species interacting with each other
- Ecosystems- How the communities interact with their environments. Both the biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living).
- Biome- Group of ecosystems that have the same climate and similar communities
- Biosphere- Where all life exists in the world. The ecosphere (living organisms), the lithosphere (land), the hydrosphere (water), and the atmosphere (air).
Food Chain- Food chains show many things about an ecosystem. They tell you what organism eats which other organisms, as well as what trophic level that organism is on. The arrows show the transfer of energy from one organism to another. Sea turtles are between grass, which they eat, and sharks, which eat them, in their food chain.
Symbiosis- This describes the relationship and interactions that different organisms have with each other. There are many different types of this.
- Parasitism- harms one species and benefits the other
- Competition- harms both species
- Mutualism- both species benefit
- Commensalism- one species benefits and the other is not affected
Sea turtles interact with many different species. One example of sea turtles symbiosis is mutualism with surgeonfish. The fish clean of the sea turtles, which makes it easier for the turtles to swim and gives the fish a meal.
Human Impact- The effect that humans have had on the world around us, like polluting our atmosphere and our water, destroying habitats, and causing mass extinctions. This impact is due to many things. One big cause if the burning of fossil fuels. Fossil fuels such as oil and coal are burned, which releases greenhouse gasses like CO2 into the atmosphere. Greenhouse gasses trap heat inside our atmosphere, which causes a global rise in temperature. Human impact has affected green sea turtles greatly. They are endangered largely due to the amount of plastic humans have dumped in the ocean, which turtles can ingest or choke on.
Limiting Factors- They cause the population growth the decrease. Some limiting factors are food, water, and space. Some limiting factors for sea turtles are the amount of open water for them to live in and the amount of grass available for them to eat.
Density Dependent vs Independent- Density dependent means that the factor is dependent on the size, such as food, water, and space. Density independent means that the factor isn't dependent on the population size, such as natural disasters, unusual weather, and human activities. Some density dependent factors in the sea turtles' ecosystem are food (grass) and the water they live in. Some density independent factors for sea turtles are pollution from oil and plastic.
Carrying Capacity- The number of organisms a habitat can support. This is determined by how much space and how many resources are available. The carrying capacity for sea turtles is determined by things like the amount of sea grass and the amount of amount available.
Biodiversity- Biodiversity is the diversity of life on Earth. There is a variety of life and ecosystems that make up our planet. Each ecosystem is made up of many different types of plants and animals that all work together to make the ecosystem function properly. Biodiversity increases the productivity and overall well-being of the ecosystem. Without it many species would not be able to survive. Sea turtles live in the ocean, which is a very diverse ecosystem. There are many different organisms that all play a role, such as sea grass, turtles, sharks, and surgeonfish, among many others. These organisms all directly affect each other.
Autotroph- They use energy from the environment to create their food. Most autotrophs use sunlight (photosynthesis, but some are able to use chemicals (chemosynthesis). An autotroph in the green sea turtles' ecosystem is the sea grass that they eat.
Heterotroph- They get their energy from other organisms. Sea turtles are heterotrophs. When they are young they are omnivores that eat seagrass, insects, crustaceans, and worms. When they are adults they are herbivores that mainly eat sea grass, and sometimes algae.
- Herbivore- eats only plants
- Carnivore- eats only animals
- Omnivore- eats both plants and animals
- Detrivores- eats plant and animal remains and other dead matter
- Decomposers- breaks down organic matter
Trophic Levels- Ecology is organized into different trophic levels. Producers --> First level consumers --> 2nd level consumers --> top level consumers. Sea turtles eat grass, so they are a first level consumer.
Matter Cycles
Nitrogen Cycle- Nitrogen in the air (N2) is absorbed by the soil. Nitrogen fixing happens in by bacteria in the soil or by the roots of legumes. This turns it into ammonium. Other bacteria turns that into Nitrites, which is then turned into Nitrates. These Nitrates are absorbed by plants, and we get it by eating plants. When living things decompose the nitrogen goes back into the soil as ammonium. Sea turtles get their nitrogen from the sea grass that they eat. Nitrogen fixation also happens in the ocean, as nitrogen can be absorbed into the ocean.
Carbon Cycle- Carbon in the air is absorbed by plants through carbon fixation in photosynthesis. We eat plants and get carbon. The carbon that we breathe in goes back into the atmosphere through respiration. When we decompose, the carbon goes back to the soil. Carbon that doesn’t decay goes into carbon sink and turns into fossil fuels. When these are burned in combustion the CO2 goes back into the atmosphere. Sea turtles get carbon from the seagrass that they eat. This carbon was absorbed into the ocean, then absorbed by plants.
Water Cycle- Precipitation falls and is stored as groundwater, surface water, or in living things. It evaporates and goes back up to the atmosphere. If there is pollution in the atmosphere the water can become polluted. The water cycle is very important for sea turtles because they live in the ocean. The precipitation that is stored in the ocean is vital for sea turtles to survive.
Our Presentation
Reflection
I feel like our group was very successful overall. We worked very well together and got our project done. One upside was the level of cooperation between every person in the group. Everyone was very willing to do their part and contribute. We all got along very well so we were able to also have some fun during the project. It made it a lot less stressful to have a group where everyone got along and worked with each other. The second upside was our organization of the workload, especially when it came to research. When we were making our plan we divided up each section of the research. Each person was in charge of a different section, and we all took notes on a group doc so everyone had access to all the research. This helped us to keep everything organized and in one place. Every person contributed to the project equally, so there wasn't one person that had to take the brunt of the workload.
One downside was that we put off doing a lot of the slideshow until the very last minute. We procrastinated a lot of the work so we did it all in one day. This increased the level of stress on the project, and our quality of work wasn't as high as it could have been. If I were to do this project again I would stay more on top of the slideshow and get it done earlier. Another downside was that our group lacked interest in the project. We didn't find this topic to grab our attention, so we struggled to stay focused and motivated. A good way to deal with this could've been to come up with an interesting way to do our project, but instead we just got frequently distracted.
One downside was that we put off doing a lot of the slideshow until the very last minute. We procrastinated a lot of the work so we did it all in one day. This increased the level of stress on the project, and our quality of work wasn't as high as it could have been. If I were to do this project again I would stay more on top of the slideshow and get it done earlier. Another downside was that our group lacked interest in the project. We didn't find this topic to grab our attention, so we struggled to stay focused and motivated. A good way to deal with this could've been to come up with an interesting way to do our project, but instead we just got frequently distracted.