Monday, January 25, 2010

Ecology

Today we started Unit 2 on Ecology. First we discussed populations and how to classify individuals. Marlon and Nemo are individuals, but their Population is clown fish. Their community is the anemone, and their ecosystem the coral reef. The biome is warm tropical. Nemo and Marlon are good examples because most students have seen Finding Nemo.

Next we discussed biotic and abiotic. Biotic factors are things that are alive like mates and predators as well as the food you eat. Abiotic factors are not living and have never been alive (technically dead stuff, and even sea shells, are biotic in origin). Abiotic factors include salinity, temperature, waves, pH, dissolved gases and others.

Next we discussed ocean lifestyles. Organisms are classified by how they move and how mobile they are. Organisms that float or drift have a plankton lifestyle. Organisms that swim are part of the nekton. Organisms that spend most of their time at the bottom, either attached or mobile are called Benthos.

We finished the day discussing producers and consumers and what kind of consumers there were. Everyone has heard of a primary or secondary consumer, and herbivore and carnivores, but how about planktivores? Planktivores eat plankton only and include manta rays, clams, basking sharks and many more.
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Computer Lab Etiquette

You are in the computer lab to do work for this class. If you are not doing work, then we will have problems.

Do not pack up early. Work until the bell or until MsJ says.

SAVE OFTEN. And if you save to a key, also save it to your number. If you lose it, you will have to do it again.

If MsJ asks for your attention, stop what you are doing and listen to what she has to say.

You may watch videos about your organism through reliable websites.

You may listen to music through the computer if you have your own headphones. Rule1 MsJ cannot hear it. You get one warning. Rule2 Turn it on and listen – no million clicks and constant changing. Take both ear phones out when MsJ is talking.