Core
Curriculum Objective: Analyze how organisms interact with each other in symbiotic relationships. (7LV-5)
Overview: Students will use information off the Internet to identify the three types of symbiotic relationships. They will identify the type of symbiotic relationship between two organisms, their interactions, and the effect of their interactions on both organisms. Then students will choose one set of organisms to explain how one would be effected if the other disappears.
Focus/Essential Question: The purpose of this activity is for students to analyze how organisms interact in symbiotic relationships.
Time Frame: One sixty-minute class
Resources and Materials: Computer lab with Internet access/ or make copies of the information on the Internet web sites.
Culminating Assessment: Students will complete the symbiosis fact sheet identifying the different types of symbiotic relationships and analyzing various organisms' symbiotic relationships. They will then choose one set of organisms to write a letter that explains how one organism would be effected if the other disappeared. Students will be awarded points accordingly for the fact sheet. The essay will be graded as homework.
Instructional Activities:
Make a class set of copies of You won't feel a
thing...
(http://www.divernet.com/biolog/clow1096.htm)
Do It Now
Activity: Have students read the article on the clown fish and sea anemone, then have students write a paragraph explaining the relationship between the two.
The teacher will begin class by asking students what does symbiosis means, (living together). Who can explain the clown fish and the sea anemones' symbiotic relationship? (The clown fish live among the anemones' poisonous tentacles and become immune to the sting and eat parasites from the anemones' tentacles. What is the effect of this relationship on the clown fish? The clown fish has food availability and shelter. What is the effect of this relationship on the anemone? The anemone has its tentacles cleaned and they help protect the anemone from predators.
The teacher will then tell the class this is one type of symbiotic relationship called mutualism. You will be learning about other symbiotic relationships and how the organisms interact in these relationships today.
Pass out a symbiosis fact sheet to each student. Go over student expectations. Define symbiosis. List and define the three classifications of symbiosis. For each set of organisms identify relationship they have ( mutualism, commensalism, or parasitism), explain how they interact, and the effect the relationship has on each organism. You may want to do clown fish and sea anemone together to get them started.
The teacher will now put the students in groups of two and take them to the computer lab. Have them get on line at:
http://www.comptons.com/encyclopedia/ARTICLES/0175/01769472_A.html
OR, print the information off the site and make copies for the students. Have the students complete their chart.
Homework: Students will choose one of the symbiotic relationships to represent.
Chemical Company XYZ is emitting toxic fumes that are killing one of the organisms in the symbiotic relationship, but they are not violating any EPA regulations. Write a letter to this chemical company explaining why it is important to save this organism, and how the other organism will be effected if it disappears.
Allow students to read their letters allowed in class.
Name________________________________
SYMBIOSIS FACT SHEET
Define: 4 points
symbiosis:___________________________________________________________
Symbiotic relationship classifications: each blank is 4 points
a.
___________________Define___________________________
b.
___________________Define___________________________
c.
___________________Define___________________________
Explain these symbiotic relationships: each box 3 points
| Organisms |
Relationship |
How they interact |
Effect on first organism |
Effect on second organism |
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clown fish &sea anemone |
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plant & butterfly |
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African tick bird & giraffe |
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remora fish & shark |
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spined seeds & fox |
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pathogen & human |
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