SYSTEMS & MODELS1.1.1 – 1.1.3 & 1.1.8, 1.1.9 (start)

Mrs. Page 2014-2015

ASSESSMENT STATEMENTS• 1.1.1 Outline the concept and characteristics of systems.

• The emphasis will be on ecosystems but some mention should be made of economic, social and value systems.

• 1.1.2 Apply the systems concept on a range of scales.• The range must include a small-scale local ecosystem, a large ecosystem such

as a biome, and Gaia as an example of a global ecosystem.

• 1.1.3 Define the terms open system, closed system and isolated system.

• 1.1.8 Distinguish between flows (inputs and outputs) and storages (stock) in relationship to systems.

• 1.1.9 Construct and analyze quantitative models involving flows and storages in a system.

SYSTEMS

•On your notebook paper, brainstorm examples of a system from your every day life. Be ready to share. • Round Robin • Looking at these examples, how could we define a system?

WHAT IS A SYSTEM?A System

• Is an organized collection of interdependent components that perform a function and which are connected through the transfer of energy and/or matter

• All the parts are linked together and affect each other.

REDUCTIONIST VS HOLISTIC APPROACHES

Reductionist Approach: Looking at each individual partHolistic Approach: looking at how everything works together

This course will focus on both!

REDUCTIONIST VS HOLISTICRANGE OF SCALES

Largest Scale Universe as a systemEarth as a systemA specific biome as a system (ex:

Rainforests)A specific ecosystem as a system

(ex: Amazon rainforest)River bank within Amazon rainforest

Small Scale Plant on river bank on Amazon

GAIA HYPOTHESIS

• James Lovelock• Mid 1960’s• Proposed that plant Earth is a single living system (global system)• Earth maintains homeostasis (temperature, climate, ocean salinity)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xVGuRX0xNaI

3 TYPES OF SYSTEMS

An open system exchanges matter and energy with its surroundings (for example, an ecosystem).

3 TYPES OF SYSTEMS• A closed system exchanges energy but not matter; • “Biosphere II” experiment was an attempt to model

this. closed • Do not occur naturally on Earth, but all the global cycles

of matter, for example, the water and nitrogen cycles, approximate to closed systems.

3 TYPES OF SYSTEMS

• An isolated system exchanges neither matter nor energy. • No such systems exist • The universe as we know it is sometimes

considered a closed system

SYSTEM DIAGRAMS1.1.8 Distinguish between flows (inputs & outputs) and storages (stocks) in relation to a system.

• Used to visually represent a system• Boxes show storage of matter or energy• Arrows show the flow of matter or energy• Inputs = arrows into the storage• Outputs = arrows out of the storage

• Processes get labelled on the arrow (ex: photosynthesis, respiration, diffusion, consumption, etc)

SYSTEM DIAGRAMS

Water

Water

Nutrients (food)

Waste

Biomass to Next Trophic

Level

Carbon Dioxide (CO2)

OxygenBiomass to

Decomposers

YOU TRY: FORMATIVE• Choose a system from our list created

earlier or a new one you have thought of and create a system diagram to show the stocks and flows in your system.

• Be prepared to share your system with classmates

HOMEWORK• Make assessment notecards for

assessment statements 1.1.1, 1.1.2, 1.1.3, and 1.1.8

• Assessment Statement written on front of card

• Answer and/or examples on the back of the card