Ecosystem Part 1 (Relationships and Flow of Energy)

Stability of the Ecosystem

By Jane Claussen

Open Ended

Who or what helps you survive?

Open Ended

Describe interactions that are occurring in this ecosystem?

Open Ended

What would happen if those interactions did not take place?

Open Ended

Lets start with these interactions or RELATIONSHIPS of the ecosystem, what are some relationships you remember?

Drag and Drop

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Placeholder

occurs when two or more individuals or populations compete for the same resources, such as food and shelter.

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competition

symbiosis

commensalism

mutualism

predation

parasitism

pathogen

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involves an organism known as a predator that eats part or all of another organism.

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predation

symbiosis

commensalism

mutualism

competition

parasitism

pathogen

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is a symbiotic relationship in which one organism benefits while the other organism is harmed

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parasitim

commensalism

symbiosis

competition

predation

mutualism

pathogen

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Placeholder

is a symbiotic relationship in which one organism benefits while the other organism is not affected in any way.

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commensalism

symbiosis

mutualism

parasitism

predation

competition

pathogen

Drag and Drop

​

Placeholder

is a symbiotic relationship in which both organisms benefit.

Drag these tiles and drop them in the correct blank above

mutualism

symbiosis

commensalism

competition

parasitism

predation

pathogen

STAAR TEST Questions

Multiple Choice

The oak mistletoe is a green, leafy plant that grows on trees and has white berries. Mistletoe seeds are spread to other trees through the waste of birds that feed on the berries. The mistletoe seedlings grow into the tree, harming them to obtain water and nutrients.

Which answer choice correctly identifies a relationship between two of these organisms?

• The relationship between the tree and the mistletoe is commensalism.

• The relationship between the birds and the trees is predator-prey.

• The relationship between the birds and the trees is mutualism.

• The relationship between the tree and the mistletoe is parasitism.

Multiple Choice

Bees gather nectar and pollen from flowering plants, providing food for the bees. As the bees move to different flowers, some of the pollen attached to the bees' bodies is spread and released. If the pollen falls on the flower of a plant of the same species, it may fertilize the plant and produce seeds.

Which type of relationship does this describe?

• Mutualism

• Parasitism

• Commensalism

• Competition

Multiple Choice

Orchids are flowering plants that grow on other plants. They typically grow in tall trees high in the canopy, where they can reach sunlight for photosynthesis. They get water and nutrients from rainwater runoff that carries organic material down the host plant's branches. No water or nutrients are taken from the host plant.

Which type of relationship does this describe?

• Mutualism

• Parasitism

• Commensalism

• Competition

Open Ended

Ecological relationships occur between two species that live close to each other. Two examples of ecological relationships are described.

 

• Example 1: Bees gather nectar and pollen from flowering plants, providing food for the bees. As the bees move to different flowers, some of the pollen attached to the bees' bodies is spread and released. If the pollen falls on the flower of a plant of the same species, it may fertilize the plant and produce seeds.

 

• Example 2: Orchids are flowering plants that grow on other plants. They typically grow in tall trees high in the canopy, where they can reach sunlight for photosynthesis. They get water and nutrients from rainwater runoff that carries organic material down the host plant's branches. No water or nutrients are taken from the host plant.

 

What is the main difference between the ecological relationships described in the two examples? Include the scientific term used to define each of the relationships.

Multiple Choice

Spores of the fungus Ustilago maydis land and grow on sweet corn.  The fungus then infects the plant tissue, extracting nutrients from the plant's cells. 

 

The relationship between sweet corn and Ustilago maydis can best be described as --

• competition

• commensalism 

• predation 

• parasitism 

Disruptions ecosystem Relationships and flow of matter

Open Ended

Attached is a food web showing relationships or interactions between species in an ecosystem. What would happen if mice were removed from this food web?

Open Ended

What is the main relationship that is occurring in food webs or food chains?

​Predator/Prey Relationship

Multiple Choice

______ is an organism that hunts, kills, and eats other organisms

• predator

• prey

Multiple Choice

______ is an organism this is being hunted, killed, and eaten by other organisms.

• predator

• prey

Multiple Choice

The table shows the relationships of some organisms that live in a Texas Hill Country habitat. 

Based on the data in the table, which food chain depicts a correct flow of energy through the Texas Hill Country habitat? 

Energy in Food

Open Ended

Do you think carbs or proteins provide the most energy?

Multiple Choice

Carbs are -

• grasses, trees, and shrubs

• meats and bugs

Open Ended

If something is called a producer, what do they do?

10 percent of the energy is transferred to the next level

​10 percent of the energy is transferred to the next level

Multiple Choice

How much energy is passed to the next trophic level?

• 0

• 10 percent

• 100 percent

• 50 percent

Multiple Choice

________ are organisms such as grasses, trees, and shrubs

• producers

• consumers

Reorder

Reorder the following

• Producers

• Primary Consumers

• Secondary Consumers

• Tertiary Consumers

1

2

3

4

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4

Reorder

Reorder the following using the image above.

• Grasses

• Mice

• Snakes

• Hawks

1

2

3

4

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4

Multiple Choice

A food chain is shown. 

 

Grasses → Grubs → Armadillos → Coyotes

 

Which model best represents the amount of energy available for use at each trophic level represented in the food chain?