Photosynthesis is the process by which plants produce food.

Plants contain chlorophyll in its leaves. This chemical absorbs light energy.

The plant then produces glucose, a natural sugar.

It is this sugar that allows the plant to stay healthy and produce fruit.

During this process plants take in sunlight (light source).

Plants also take in Carbon Dioxide (CO2)

The products of this process are sugar and oxygen.

There are millions of different living organisms on earth.

Modern science has identified a little over 2 million.

Scientists estimate that there could be between 5-100 million species on earth.

Many of these species live in very inaccessible areas on earth. Ex: deep oceans, caves, and mountain sides.

Living organisms include everything from humans, to plants, to viruses.

Species: is a characteristic for identifying organisms.

Another definition is: a group of organisms that have many characteristic in common and can mate successfully. (Reproduction)

In biology, the process of classifying species is called taxonomy.

What are some examples of species?1. Humans2. Dogs3. Cats

All of the species above have many characteristics in common and can mate successfully.

Although there are variations. Ex: skin color, size, types of fur.

The method that biologists have created is called biological classification.

There are 8 criteria for classifying species.1. Domain2. Kingdom3. Phylum4. Class 5. Order6. Family7. Genus8. Species

One way to remember these

names: DUMB KING PHILLIP CALLED OUT FOR GREEN SPAGHETTI

Every living organism lives in a habitat. A habitat: is a space where an

organism or group of organisms will live.

A single habitat could be home to thousands of different species.

A habitat could be anything. For example a tree is home to birds, animals, and insects

Every species has a habitat in which they live.

Each one of these species has a very specific role within this habitat.

Ecological niche: refers to the place in which a species lives as well as their role in that habitat.

For example: a tree lives in a forest and provides shade, homes for animals and insects and food.

An ecosystem refers to all physical (non-living) and biological (living) components of a particular area.

Living things live in ecosystems. There are many conditions that are

necessary for different species to share the same space.

For example: it is very difficult for other species to share the same space as humans

The population of a species is comparable to the population of a city or country.

The population of a species rises and falls as more organisms are born or die.

The more organisms the stronger the population of a species.

Many things can effect the population of a species.

Pollution Increase in human population and growing

cities War, chemical/oil spills and other human

actions (poaching/hunting). Natural disasters (volcanoes, hurricanes,

etc.) Competition (introduction of a new species) Global warming Lack of adaptation

Decrease in human population Introduction of a species into a new area. Lack of natural checks. Checks are factors

that keep the population at an acceptable level. (diseases, predators, etc)

Increase in birth rate and low death rate Human actions (chemical spills) Hunting one species may increase the

population of another species.

Over the years the theory of evolution has raised many issues.

There has been debate between the religious and scientific communities.

From the religious point of view all living organisms were created by God.

This belief is usually called “Creationism”

From the scientific point of view all organisms have developed over millions of years.

Organisms developed through a series of physical and behavioural adaptations.

This is called the theory of evolution. Adaptations: process whereby an

organism becomes suited to its habitat. These adaptations could be physical: color

change, larger/smaller, skin change, loss or gain of appendages ( ex: wings)

Behavioural adaptations: reproduction, finding food, building homes.

In 1809 Lamarck created the theory that species evolve and change to fit into their habitat.

In 1835 Charles Darwin created the theory of Natural selection (survival of the fittest) after working in the Galapagos islands.

The stronger the species the better chance of survival.

Species get stronger as species adapt.

The only known planet that has life. Has a large supply of oxygen. Large supply of water. A protective ozone layer

How would you describe our planet to someone or something who has never seen it before?

What are some of the Earth’s properties?

The Earth is made up of four layers.1. Crust2. Mantle3. Outer Core4. Inner Core The Earth also has an exterior

structure called the atmosphere.

For all living organisms the crust is the most important part of the Earth.

The crust houses all life present on Earth.

The crust of the Earth is between 5-50km thick.

The thinnest parts of the crust are the ocean floors, the thickest are mountain chains.

The crust sits on top of the mantle. The mantle is liquid.

The crust is not all one solid piece. Over time it has broken into smaller pieces.

These pieces are called tectonic plates. The crust has all of the properties that

life needs to survive. It experiences changes in temperature,

weather, and precipitation. It is the part of the Earth that is most

effected by Global warming. It is also effected by pollution created

by humans.

The second layer of the Earth is the Mantle.

The mantle is the thickest layer of the Earth. It extends to a depth of over 2800km.

This layer is made up of liquid rock. There is incredible pressure and

heat that forms in this layer.

The Crust floats on the top of the mantle in giant pieces called tectonic plates.

These plates move around and cause earthquakes and volcanoes.

The mantle is constantly in motion. This movement causes the tectonic

plates scrape and hit each other, which is an earthquake.

Volcanoes form when two plates crash into each other.

Volcanoes are the earth’s cooling system and pressure release.

The core is the innermost layer of the Earth. It is usually divided into outer core and inner core.

Although there is no confirmed theories the most probable is that the outer core is liquid metal mostly iron and nickel.

With this theory scientists argue that the core is a solid ball of iron.

The core is the heaviest layer of the earth.

It is believed that this layer give the earth it’s gravity and magnetism.

Magnetism is a force. It is this force that causes compass needles to point north.

This is what we call magnetic north.

The atmosphere is a layer of gases that surround the Earth.

The Atmosphere has two basic functions. 1. To protect life on Earth. 2. To sustain life on Earth. The Atmosphere protects Earth from UV

radiation from the sun. Moreover, it burns up small pieces of

debris that may fall to Earth (rocks).

The Atmosphere also sustains life on Earth, since it supplies us with oxygen.

It also regulates climate and temperature, it keeps in necessary heat and releases excess heat.

Our atmosphere is composed of 78% Nitrogen, 21% Oxygen, and 1% other gases.

The Atmosphere consists of 5 layers. Troposphere, Stratosphere,

Mesosphere, Thermosphere, Exosphere.

The troposphere is the layer that is closest to the Earth. It extends about 20 km from the surface of the Earth.

Humans have reached the Thermosphere with the space shuttle.

However, the Exosphere is still relatively unexplored.

The hydrosphere refers to the layer of water that surrounds the Earth.

71% of the Earth’s surface is covered by water. Most of this is found in the Earth’s oceans and seas.

The hydrosphere is home to millions of plant and animal species.

The hydrosphere includes oceans, lakes, rivers, streams, as well as ice and glaciers.

Water vapour and clouds also make up part of the Hydrosphere.

The hydrosphere is responsible for the hydrologic cycle also called the “Water Cycle”.

This cycle is what gives us precipitation. Water will evaporate and form into clouds,

when clouds contain too much water it is released as precipitation (rain, hail, sleet, snow).

This process is vital for all life on earth. Every living thing needs water to survive.

The Lithosphere is the rigid outer layer that surrounds the Earth.

The Lithosphere is made up of the Crust and the uppermost part of the Mantle.

Scientists include the tectonic plates when talking about the Lithosphere.

The Lithosphere extends to a depth of roughly 100km.

The Ozone layer is a collection of ozone (O3) gas.

This layer is located in the lower half of the stratosphere.

This layer is located between 10-50km above the Earth.

The ozone layer protects all life on earth, by blocking most of the sun’s UV radiation.

In recent years the Ozone layer has become increasingly damaged.

In fact a hole has developed. The damage comes from pollution.

Specifically the increased amounts of CFC’s in the atmosphere.

CFC’s are present in car exhaust, industrial smoke, and aerosols.

These chemicals attack and destroy ozone molecules.

What are the threats and consequences of a damaged ozone layer?