O. E. Wilson, 2002
The totality of life, known as the biosphere to scientists and creation to theologians, is a membrane of organisms wrapped around Earth so thin it cannot be seen edgewise from a space shuttle, yet so internally complex that most species composing it remain undiscovered.
Welcome to Lecture 3, Introductory Biology 152 Spring 2012
Lecturers:
Dr. Robert Bohanan
Ecology
Prof. David Abbott Animal Physiology Prof. Donna Fernandez Plant Physiology
Course coordinator: Jean Heitz Textbook: Biology 9th edition
What Big Ideas or Concepts Are Central to Life?
To be alive, and to continue to survive in changing environments, organisms must be able to:
A. Keep their integrity separate from that of the environment and of other organisms, i.e. they must maintain homeostasis. As a result, life: 1. is cellular 2. must be able to control movement of substances into and out of the cell and as a result, must deal with the properties of diffusion and osmosis, flow rates and SA/V ratios. B. Transfer energy: 1. within cells 2. between cells between the environment and itself (e.g. from sun or from other organic compounds or organisms) C. Transfer information: 1. within cells 2. between cells (to maintain homeostasis or the conditions required for life to exist) 3. between organisms (to survive or to be able to reproduce effectively) 4. from one generation to the next (to provide for continuation of the species over time) D. Evolve. Environmental conditions determine which organisms will survive. Over time, environmental conditions can change. As a result, if species are to survive, they must include variants that can survive in the changed conditions. Variation within species is the result of genetic changes/mutations. Organisms do not evolve; populations evolve.
ome key principles/concepts that recur through the above include the following.
SA/V ratios, osmosis/diffusion rates and the properties of membranes affect the flow of substances into and out of cells and organisms. Energy obtained from the environment must be converted into forms that can be used by living cells/organisms. Interactions of organisms with the chemical and physical forces in their environment and with other organisms affect their evolution. .g. SA/V ratios and flow of substances affect structure and function of cells and whole organisms (including how energy is stored). Information for the basic structural components of life is stored in DNA and can be translated within cells into the basic structural components equired for life. However, life is more than the sum of its individual components (emergent properties). Modifications (mutations) of the information stored in DNA can affect the structure and function of organisms and their evolution.
Requirements for the entire course
Cell phones switched off at all times No laptop computers unless required for an approved reason. Front row seats only. Exams:
no note cards there will be one exam at the end of each topic
F. deWaal photo
Prof. David Abbott (Dept. of Ob/Gyn and Wisconsin National Primate Res. Ctr.)
Animal Physiology Overall theme: BIOENERGETICS ........how an organism: obtains... processes... Examples will be from human biology transports... disposes of... defends... regulates... Fetal programming of female obesity, diabetes and infertility uses - survival - reproduction
.....its energy resources
F. deWaal photo
Robert Bohanan
B.S. East Tenn State Univ PhD UW Madison Institute of Biology Education
Aquatic Biology, Behavioral Ecology, Urban Watersheds, Climate Change Learning guitar & other stringed things, cook, garden, dogs, biking, reading
Office Hours and Such
[e-mail] B9 445 Henry Mall (Tuesday 10-11) Virtual Office Hours on Skype (dragonfly0257), 830-10 PM Tuesday and Saturday from 1030-1130 AM Review last half of lecture 2/24 Additional office hours 2/20-24
Dr. B's Spring Bookshelf
The Ballad of Tom Dooley, Sharyn McCrumb Mudbound, Hillary Jordan How to Live Safely in Science Fictional Universe, Charles Yu The Prague Cemetery, Umberto Eco World War Z, Max Brooks The Disappearing Spoon and other Tales of Madness, Love, and the History of the World from the Periodic Table of the Elements, Sam Kean The Book of Dead Philosophers, Simon Critchley Ganymede (Clockwork Century), Cherie Priest Distrust That Particular Flavor, William Gibson 1491 New Revelations of the Americas Before Columbus, Charles Mann 1493 Uncovering the New World Columbus Created, Charles Mann Staying Alive: Real Poems for Unreal Times, Neil Astley, ed
Grading for Ecology Section
20% of ecology from 1 or 2 point / 0 point Moodle Answers (check Learn@UW for the link) 80 % of ecology from mid-term Tuesday 2/28 7-830 PM
Key Concept All organisms (microbes, plants, animals) and ecological (populations, systems communities, ecosystems and earth) respond to abiotic and biotic limiting factors. Objective: Learn how to reason Identify, analyze and explain patterns showing relationships of organisms and of ecological systems to abiotic and biotic factors
Goals
Use an ecological vocabulary Apply biology to ecology Describe how ecological systems work Analyze ecological information, research and data Describe and interpret patterns in ecological data Consider ecological knowledge to think about your own personal `environmentally - related' behaviors Describe relationships of ecology and environmentalism Evaluate environmental policy in light of ecological knowledge Identify factors that affect the biological diversity and ecological systems in Wisconsin Develop an environmental `crap detector'
Approach
Build on earlier connections to 151 Use a combination of lecture, video cases, in-class discussion, and electronic on-line moodle 1/2 point or 0 point quizzes sets emphasizing data analyses of and construction of explanations Draw upon examples from textbook, podcasts, and research literature Integrate examples of the biological diversity and ecology in Wisconsin
Mystery Organism
Photos courtesy Joseph Thompson
A Very Common Phrase: `The Balance of Nature'
What is it? Homeostasis, multivariate Does it actually exist? Not completely convinced that it exists Is it useful? How can it be achieved or sustained?
Ecology Defined
Ecology is the study of how biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living such as weather and climate) factors influence the diversity, distribution and relative abundance of organisms in ecological systems.
Which of the above is a dependent variable in this statement? Distribution, Diversity, and Relative Abundance
Based on Bloom's Taxonomy of Learning, is this a recall, analyses, evaluation, application or synthesis question? 1. T/F According to Eric Berlow, a curry, onion, green olive, poppy cheese bread is complex. A. True B. False 2. What does Dr. Berlow have to say about complexity versus complicated?
Ecological Professions include a wide variety of possibilities.
Scientist Environmentalist Conservationist Naturalist Technician Teacher Manager Outdoor Educator Contributes systematic knowledge using scientific methods. Develops, evaluates and promotes policy. Protects a particular place. Observes and shares local knowledge. Makes reliable observations. Helps students learn about nature. Manages natural resources. Gives physical experiences in nature.
Which of these (choose one) poses the greatest threat to the ecology and biological diversity of WI?
A.
B.
C.
D. E.
Climate change due to increased global CO2 and atmospheric temperatures Land use that modifies increasing portions of the landscape for residential and commercial uses Spread of introduced species and the related loss of native species (e.g. species naturally occurring during the past 100-200 years) Spread of infectious disease Population growth of humans
Ecology may help resolve or inform controversy
Landowners Can Soon Start Hunting Problem Wolves Wolves Removed From Federal Endangered Species List In Wisconsin Posted: 1:12 pm CST January 22, 2012
Comments
the problem is too many people not too many wolves. The problem was trying to reintroduce a species into an area that didn't need them and had no natural predators besides humans. The Wisconsin DNR kinda seems incompetent when it comes to these areas. If people raised bison instead of helpless domesticated cows, wolves would be much less of an issue. Bison is better for you anyways. Actually there is someone in WI milking a herd of water buffalo, but I digress...Most of the wolf problems I have heard about are with pastured beef, not dairy cows. But look at it this way--there are ~600 wolves in the state and 5,600,000 people--which one do you think is the problem? If you don't want to live with wolves, move to Waukesha not
MADISON, Wis. -- The state Department of Natural Resources is telling landowners they can start hunting problem wolves next week... ...The DNR plans to send letters out Monday to about 100 landowners who have had problems with wolves killing livestock telling them that they can obtain permits to hunt wolves on their property. The permits will be valid beginning Friday... .Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
A Framework for Thinking About Ecology, Behavior and Policy Policy
Knowledge
Beliefs
Behavior
Units of Study
Multiple Units of Study Examples of Sandhill Cranes
Investigate Coupled Human and Ecological Systems
Coupled Systems Include: Earth Systems water, air, soil Living Systems producers, consumers Engineered Systems transportation, food