Biotic and Abiotic Features (1/8-1/12)

http://www.amoebasisters.com/uploads/2/1/9/0/21902384/4930638_orig.png

Summary:

Take a few minutes and go outside. The environment around you has many factors, both living and non-living. The world is full of many ecosystems including forests, deserts, and more. Ecosystems are the living and non-living things that make up an environment. There are many different ways that living and non-living factors in an ecosystem interact and work together.

The living factors of an ecosystem are called biotic. "Bio" means life. Some examples of biotic features include animals, plants, humans, bacteria, and more. Close your eyes and imagine that you are in a rainforest. Some examples of biotic features may include Jaguars, Orchids, Sloths, Trees, and more. The non-living factors of an ecosystem are called abiotic. "A" means without, and "bio" means life. Together, that means "without life." Some examples of abiotic features include weather, temperature, sunlight, and soil. This time lets imagine that we are in a desert. Some of the abiotic features in a desert include sunlight, temperature, and water availability (as there is not much available water in deserts.)

There are many ways that biotic and abiotic factors interact. One very simple example is when animals (such as elephants) drink water to survive. This is an interaction between living (elephant) and non-living (water.) Another example could be the interaction with sunlight, fish, and algae. With lots of sunlight, it helps algae grow faster, which is not good for the fish because it can decrease their access to oxygen. As you can see, there are so many interactions between the biotic and abiotic world.

SP6: Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions

This week, we evaluated information from various websites and sources to form the hypothesis that biotic and abiotic features depend on each other to survive. We worked together as a team to gather evidence and construct a thoughtful explanation for each of the questions in our packet. This helped me understand more about the living and non-living factors of our world and how they impact humans and everything around us.

XCC: Cause and Effect

A cause and effect relationship that I observed this week in class is the relationship between the biotic and abiotic world. For example, having very little water available in deserts has caused cacti to store every drop of water to survive. Based on this relationship, a prediction that I can make is that the biotic and abiotic factors depend and affect each other in various different ways. This relationship helps me understand more about abiotic and biotic features and their relationships.

Multiplier

This week, I was a learner. I wanted to learn more about abiotic and biotic features and how this affects the environment that we live in. I learned a lot of information about the living and non-living world and its relationships. I learned more about this topic by completing various assignments and completing a packet. My table group shared ideas so that we would all understand the topic. I also read extra information so that I would understand more about the topic. This practice has helped me learn more and understand how to be a learner.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular Posts

Musical Instruments and Sound- Weekly Blog (3/11-3/15)

Image
Sound Energy - Musical Instruments by SolPass Summary We understand how sound is produced, and how sound waves can travel through different mediums, but how do musical instruments produce sound? There are hundreds of instruments in the world, producing various pitches, tones, and chords. There are three main types of instruments: wind, percussion, and string. The sound is produced differently based on the type of instrument. The first type of instrument is a string instrument. In a string instrument, the sound is created from the vibration of strings. For example, when you play guitar, you pull on the strings. As the strings vibrate, the air molecules start vibrating as well, producing sound. The next type of instruments are wind and brass instruments and are made when we blow sound into them. The shape and position of the instrument affect the overall tone and pitch. The most common kind of wind instrument is a reed instrument. Blowing on the reed causes it to vibrate, mak
Read more

Plant and Animal Adaptations (10/17-10/21)

Image
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/3a/8d/21/3a8d2195bfabad750814c693a3eacf48.gif Summary: This week we have been learning about adaptations. Adaptations are things that help all living things be able to reach their ultimate goal. The ultimate goal for all living things is to survive to reproduce. There are things that animals and plants need to survive. Animals need: food water shelter air Plants need: sunlight water food air All living things change over time so it is easier for them to fit in their environment. For example, when wolves started being tamed, and allowed in houses, they started to change into dogs. Their teeth are not fit for hunting animals, or breaking them apart to eat. There are more things, but I have more to talk about. Do people ever tell you that you have the same eyes as your mom, or the same nose as your dad? Adaptations are inherited characteristics that help organisms survive long enough to reproduce. What
Read more

Energy Transformations - Weekly Blog (1/28-2/1)

Image
Types of Energy  by  Solar Schools Summary: You've probably heard the quote by Albert Einstein, "Energy cannot be created or destroyed, it can only be changed from one form to another." But what are the forms of energy? There are six general energy forms: chemical, mechanical, thermal, light, electrical, and nuclear. Any form of energy can be converted into another form. There are many examples of energy transformations that happen in our everyday lives. The first energy form is chemical energy. Chemical energy is a form of potential energy and is stored in chemical substances. An example of chemical energy is gasoline that is used to power a car. The next form of energy is mechanical energy. Mechanical energy is energy released by a moving object. For example, mechanical energy is the energy that causes a soccer ball to move when kicked. Another form of energy is thermal energy and is associated with the motion of molecules. This means that it is caused by f
Read more