Biosphere and Energy Flow

Study Notes

Components of the Biosphere

The biosphere includes all living organisms and their interactions with the environment.
Terrestrial ecosystems, aquatic ecosystems, and atmosphere are components of the biosphere.
Non-living things, such as rocks or man-made structures, are NOT considered components of the biosphere.

Energy Sources in the Biosphere

The primary source of energy for the biosphere is solar energy from the sun.
Producers, such as plants, capture solar energy through photosynthesis.

Organisms and Energy Production

Chemosynthetic organisms can produce energy from chemical sources, utilizing inorganic compounds.
These organisms often thrive in extreme environments, such as deep-sea hydrothermal vents.

Food Chain Dynamics

The term for the top predator in a food chain, with no natural predators, is "apex predator."
Apex predators play a vital role in maintaining the balance of ecosystems.

Categories of Living Organisms

Autotrophs are living things that obtain energy directly from the sun or via organic sources.
Heterotrophs are organisms that rely on consuming other organisms for energy.

Photosynthesis Process

The process by which solar energy is captured by producers is called "photosynthesis."
This process converts sunlight into chemical energy stored in glucose.

Energy Acquisition in Living Things

Chemotrophs obtain energy from chemical sources, unlike phototrophs that rely on light.
The classification of living organisms based on how they acquire energy falls under "trophic levels."

Description

Test your knowledge about the biosphere and energy flow in the Earth's ecosystems. Explore concepts such as dynamic equilibrium, the different spheres of the biosphere, and the role of energy in sustaining life. Challenge yourself with questions on solar and chemosynthesis, and discover how energy flows through the biosphere.