BIO 220 Week 2 Assignment Biomes and Ecosystems
BIO 220 Week 2 Assignment Biomes and Ecosystems
Biomes and Ecosystems
Details:
In this assignment, you will be creating a trophic pyramid, also known as an “ecological pyramid,” for a specific ecosystem, using the “Trophic Pyramid” template located in the Biome Explorer at
.gcumedia.com/bio220/biome-explorer/v2.1/index.html”>http://lc.gcumedia.com/bio220/biome-explorer/v2.1/index.html. Your completed trophic pyramid will be used to identify the trophic levels within the food web, as well as their effects on the ecosystem. To complete this assignment, do the following:
- Select an ecosystem from an area of interest to you. When choosing an ecosystem, be specific. For help differentiating between biomes and ecosystems, review “Biomes, Ecosystems, and Trophic Levels.
2.Utilize credible sources to select and research your chosen ecosystem, including the textbook and the Internet (specifically, you may find the World Biomes page located at .blueplanetbiomes.org/world_biomes.htm”>http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/world_biomes.htm helpful).
3.When researching your selected ecosystem, give special attention to the plant and animals species that inhabit that ecosystem. This information will be used to design the ecological pyramid.
4.Refer to the “Trophic Pyramid.” You will complete this template by entering the names of the species that belong to the various trophic levels (Apex predator, tertiary consumers, secondary consumers, primary consumers, and primary producers).
5.Refer to the text for further information and an explanation of trophic levels.
Using your completed trophic pyramid, answer the following questions in a Word document of at least 250-500 words:
- Of the primary producers you selected, which one do you think has the biggest impact on the ecosystem you researched? Explain.
2.”What species did you select for the apex predator? Explain the importance the apex predator’s impact on the other species in your tropic pyramid.
3.How did the amount of energy gained compare to the amount of energy lost as heat at the 2nd–4th trophic levels?
4.Referring to your completed trophic pyramid template, select one species. If this species was removed from your trophic pyramid, what would be the impact on the other species of the ecosystem?
5.Can efforts to save a species from extinction be successful if the focus of preservation is only on that species? Explain your answer
6.Considering the amount of energy required in producing animal-based foods and goods, should humans change their habits so they consume products closer to the bottom of the trophic pyramid? Provide rationale for your response.
This assignment requires a minimum of two references to be included.
Prepare this assignment according to the guidelines found in the GCU Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center.
This assignment uses a grading rubric. Instructors will be using the rubric to grade the assignment; therefore, students should review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the assignment criteria and expectations for successful completion of the assignment.
You are required to submit the short answer portion of this assignment to Turnitin. Refer to the directions in the Student Success Center. Only Word documents can be submitted to Turnitin.
Submit both the Trophic Pyramid and Word document to the instructor.
Biomes
Biomes are global geographical areas that share similar climatic conditions.
Examples of biomes include rain forests, tropical forests, tundra, grasslands, and deserts.
Ecosystems
Biomes contain ecosystems, which are comprised of the living and nonliving components that occupy an environment.
Examples of ecosystems include coral reefs and ponds, tidal zones, oceans, coral reefs, kelp forests, alpine meadows, and the Arctic and Antarctic Ocean.
Ecosystems consist of various trophic levels, which comprise complex networks of food chains called food webs. The more diverse an ecosystem, the healthier and more feasible it is.
Differentiating the Two
The grasslands are a kind of biome, while the African savanna or the Brazilian credo are both ecosystems found within the grassland biome.
Tidal zones, Eastern Pacific Ocean, Pacific Northwest tidal zones, and Puget Sound tidal zones are all specific ecosystems within the marine biome.
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BIO 220 Week 2 Assignment Biomes and Ecosystems
Excellent
Point range: 90–100
Good
Point range: 80–89
Fair
Point range: 70–79
Poor
Point range: 0–69
In 4 or 5 sentences, describe
the anatomy of the basic unit
of the nervous sytem, the
neuron. Include each part of
the neuron and a general
overview of electrical
impulse conduction, the
pathway it travels, and the
net result at the termination
of the impulse. Be specific
and provide examples.
12 (16%) – 13 (17.33%)
The response accurately and
clearly describes in detail the
anatomy of the neuron. The
response accurately and
clearly describes in detail each
part of the neuron, and it
includes a detailed explanation
of the general overview of
electrical impulse conduction,
the pathway it travels, and the
net result at the termination of
the impulse.
Examples fully support the
response provided.
11 (14.67%) – 11 (14.67%)
The response accurately
describes the anatomy of the
neuron. The response
accurately describes each part
of the neuron, and it includes a
general overview of electrical
impulse conduction, the
pathway it travels, and the net
result at the termination of the
impulse.
Examples support the
response provided.
10 (13.33%) – 10 (13.33%)
The response provides an
inaccurate or vague
description of the anatomy of
the neuron. The response
inaccurately or vaguely
describes each part of the
neuron, and it includes an
inaccurate or vague overview
of electrical impulse
conduction, the pathway it
travels, and the net result at
the termination of the impulse.
Examples vaguely support the
response provided.
0 (0%) – 9 (12%)
The response provides an
inaccurate or incomplete
description of the anatomy of
the neuron, or is missing. The
response inaccurately or
incompletely describes each
part of the neuron, and it
includes an inaccurate or
vague overview of electrical
impulse conduction, the
pathway it travels, and the net
result at the termination of the
impulse, or is missing.
Examples do not support the
response provided, or is
missing.
Answer the following (listing
is acceptable for these
questions):
a. What are the major
components that make up
the subcortical structures?
b. Which component plays a
role in learning, memory,
and addiction?
c. What are the two key
neurotransmitters located in
the nigra striatal region of
the brain that play a major
role in motor control?
12 (16%) – 13 (17.33%)
The response accurately and
clearly details the major
components that make up the
subcortical structures.
The response accurately and
clearly details which
component plays a role in
learning, memory, and
addiction.
The response accurately and
clearly identifies the two
neurotransmitters located in
the nigra striatal region of the
brain that play a major role in
motor control.
11 (14.67%) – 11 (14.67%)
The response accurately
identifies the major
components that make up the
subcortical structures.
The response accurately
identifies which component
plays a role in learning,
memory, and addiction.
The response accurately
identifies the two
neurotransmitters located in
the nigra striatal region of the
brain that play a major role in
motor control.
10 (13.33%) – 10 (13.33%)
The response inaccurately
identifies the major
components that make up the
subcortical structures.
The response inaccurately
identifies which component
plays a role in learning,
memory, and addiction.
The response inaccurately
identifies two
neurotransmitters located in
the nigra striatal region of the
brain that play a major role in
motor control.
0 (0%) – 9 (12%)
The response inaccurately and
incompletely identifies the
major components that make
up the subcortical structures,
or is missing.
The response inaccurately and
incompletely identifies which
component plays a role in
learning, memory, and
addiction, or is missing.
The response inaccurately and
incompletely identifies two
neurotransmitters in the nigra
striatal region of the brain that
play a major role in motor
control, or is missing.
In 3 or 4 sentences, explain
how glia cells function in the
central nervous system. Be
specific and provide
examples.
12 (16%) – 13 (17.33%)
The response accurately and
clearly explains in detail how
glia cells function in the central
nervous system.
Examples fully support the
response provided.
11 (14.67%) – 11 (14.67%)
The response accurately
explains how glia cells function
in the central nervous system.
Examples support the
response provided.
10 (13.33%) – 10 (13.33%)
The response inaccurately or
vaguely explains how glia cells
function in the central nervous
system.
Examples inaccurately or
vaguely support the response
provided.
0 (0%) – 9 (12%)
The response inaccurately and
vaguely explains how glia cells
function in the central nervous
system, or is missing.
Examples do not support the
response provided, or is
missing.
The synapse is an area
between two neurons that
allows for chemical
communication. In 3 or 4
sentences, explain what part
of the neurons are
communicating with each
other and in which direction
does this communication
occur? Be specific.
12 (16%) – 13 (17.33%)
The response accurately and
clearly explains in detail the
part of the neurons that
communicate with each other
and the direction in which this
communication occurs.
11 (14.67%) – 11 (14.67%)
The response accurately
explains the part of the
neurons that communicate
with each other and the
direction in which this
communication occurs.
10 (13.33%) – 10 (13.33%)
The response inaccurately or
vaguely explains the part of
the neurons that communicate
with each other and the
direction in which this
communication occurs.
0 (0%) – 9 (12%)
The response inaccurately and
vaguely explains the part of
the neurons that communicate
with each other and the
direction in which this
communication occurs, or is
missing.
In 3–5 sentences, explain the
concept of “neuroplasticity.”
Be specific and provide
examples.
12 (16%) – 13 (17.33%)
The response accurately and
clearly explains in detail the
concept of neuroplasticity.
Examples provided fully
support the response
provided.
11 (14.67%) – 11 (14.67%)
The response accurately
explains the concept of
neuroplasticity.
Examples provided support
the response provided.
10 (13.33%) – 10 (13.33%)
The response inaccurately or
vaguely explains the concept
of neuroplasticity.
Examples inaccurately or
vaguely support the response
provided.
0 (0%) – 9 (12%)
The response inaccurately and
vaguely explains the concept
of neuroplasticity, or is
missing.
Examples do not support the
response provided, or is
missing.
Written Expression and
Formatting – English writing
standards:
Correct grammar,
mechanics, and proper
punctuation
5 (6.67%) – 5 (6.67%)
Uses correct grammar,
spelling, and punctuation with
no errors.
4 (5.33%) – 4 (5.33%)
Contains a few (1 or 2)
grammar, spelling, and
punctuation errors.
3.5 (4.67%) – 3.5 (4.67%)
Contains several (3 or 4)
grammar, spelling, and
punctuation errors.
0 (0%) – 2 (2.67%)
Contains many (≥ 5) grammar,
spelling, and punctuation
errors that interfere with the
reader’s understanding.
Written Expression and
Formatting – The paper
follows correct APA format
for title page, headings, font,
spacing, margins,
indentations, page numbers,
5 (6.67%) – 5 (6.67%)
Uses correct APA format with
no errors.
4 (5.33%) – 4 (5.33%)
Contains a few (1 or 2) APA
format errors.
3.5 (4.67%) – 3.5 (4.67%)
Contains several (3 or 4) APA
format errors.
0 (0%) – 2 (2.67%)
Contains many (≥ 5) APA
format errors.
parenthetical/in-text
citations, and reference list.
Total Points: 75
