Welcome

If you would like to read the syllabus for the Life Science or Earth Science, please click on the links to access information such as classroom rules, the grading scale, and topics to be discussed.
One last thing that you might find interesting is a NASA picture of the day. Every picture has a great description of what you are seeing.


Enjoy!

Classroom expectations

I expect you to:

1. Always think safety first. NO HORESEPLAY IN THE LAB AREA!
2. Be in the room and prepared for class when the period begins.
3. Do your own work and work on science in science class.
4. Respect each other, yourself, and science as a worthwhile subject.
5. Follow all school rules including the dress code.
6. Take responsibility for your own actions!

I will not tolerate:
1. Swearing, offensive language, or rudeness
2. Tardiness
3. Cell phones in the classroom
4. Cheating
5. Physical Contact – hitting, kicking, pushing, etc.
6. Unsafe Actions – anything that you intentionally do that puts you or someone else in danger
7. Defiance

Wednesday, May 2, 2012

7th grade: Chapter 18: Interactions of Living Things

Section 1: The Environment - Practice quiz

Section 2: Interactions Among Living Organisms - Practice quiz

Section 3: Matter and Energy - Practice quiz

Standardized test practice

Section 1 is broken down into Abiotic and Biotic factors.  You should know what each of these mean.  In the Section 1 review, you were asked to name 5 examples of each that are in your ecosystem.  Biotic factors are the living things... different types of living things are Plants, Animals, Bacteria, Fungi, and Protists.  I expect you to identify 3 of these.

You should be able to identify the levels of organization (and what each contains)...that the living world is categorized into.

From an organism to the biosphere

Highlight the block of space after the question to find the answer... it will change from looking like this...

To this

Question: What happens to vegetation when rainfall amounts gradually decrease over centuries (a long period of time)?

Answer: Plant species either adapt or die out.  New plant species may enter the area. The ecosystem may change from forest to grassland to desert over time.

There are 2 major kinds of ecosystems.  Terrestrial ecosystems are located on land.  Aquatic ecosystems include freshwater and salt water.  Saltwater ecosystems make up approximately 75% of Earth's surface.

What are some factors that distinguish one biome from another?

Answer: precipitation, temperature, plant life, and animal life.

Air pollution can come from many different sources.  Can you name one source of air pollution specifically mentioned in the book?

Why is topsoil fertile?

Answer: It contains decayed remains of organisms... it also contains different amounts of nutrients, minerals, and moisture.

Do you know the technical name of the scientist who studies the interactions of organisms and their environment?

Of the major biomes in the world, which one do you live in?

The needs of living things - Knowing what living things need to grow and reproduce will be helpful in understanding population size, density, spacing, and limiting factors.


A mob of kangaroos
Animal groups have interesting names.  For example a group of crows is called a murder. You wouldn't want to run into a crash of rhinos or a prickle of porcupines, and beware of a mob of kangaroos.

 Can you name a limiting factor of a population?

Answer: food, water, living space (limiting factors can be biotic or abiotic)

READ ABOUT BIOTIC POTENTIAL.  What does it mean?

Do you know the 3 forms of symbiosis?  Mutualism, commensalism, parasitism

What is the difference between the niche of an animal and the animal's habitat?

What advantages does a population that feeds on several kinds of organisms have?

Answer: This ensures a food supply for the population if one food source becomes unavailable.


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