Questions and Answers
What is an ecosystem made up of?
What energy source do all plants use during photosynthesis?
Sunlight
Producers within an ecosystem do not convert energy.
False
Energy cannot be created or _________.
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What percentage of gross primary productivity (GPP) is used in respiration?
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What type of energy is stored in the bonds of chemical compounds?
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What does convection produce?
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Geothermal energy is derived from solar radiation.
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What is the first step in the study of energetics?
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The energy contained within a system is responsible for its _______.
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Match the following types of energy with their descriptions:
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Study Notes
Ecosystem Components
- Ecosystems consist of biotic (living) factors like penguins, bears, wolves, and foxes, and abiotic (non-living) factors such as rocks, soil, snow, air, and temperature.
Energy Flow in Ecosystems
- Energy originates from the sun or chemicals, fueling the processes in ecosystems.
- Producers (plants) perform photosynthesis, converting sunlight into usable energy, forming the foundation of energy transfer.
Photosynthesis Process
- The process involves taking in carbon dioxide and water, using sunlight to produce glucose and oxygen.
Chemosynthesis
- Certain bacteria perform chemosynthesis, converting chemicals like hydrogen sulfide into energy, without sunlight, in dark environments.
Energy Transfer and Trophic Levels
- Energy flows upward through trophic levels, from producers to various consumers, with each stage experiencing energy loss.
- Gross Primary Productivity (GPP) is the total energy converted by producers, while Net Primary Productivity (NPP) accounts for energy consumed during respiration.
Energy Efficiency
- Efficiency measures how much energy transfers to the next trophic level.
- Biomass refers to the amount of living material available in an ecosystem.
Energy Transformation
- Energy cannot be created or destroyed; it transforms between forms, maintaining a constant total amount in isolated systems.
- Various forms of energy exist, including kinetic, chemical, electrical, light, thermal, and gravitational potential energy.
Major Energy Sources
- The sun is the primary external energy source influencing weather and climate.
- Geothermal energy, stemming from radioactive isotopes, and rotational energy from the Earth’s spinning, serve as internal energy sources.
Convection and Climate Influence
- Solar energy heats the Earth's surface and atmosphere, causing convection, which generates winds and alters ocean currents.
- Greenhouse gases trap infrared radiation from the Earth's surface, affecting energy flow and climate.
Organic Matter Production
- Plants, algae, and cyanobacteria utilize sunlight to produce organic matter from carbon dioxide, highlighting the sun's critical role in supporting life.
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Description
This quiz covers the fundamental concepts of ecosystems, including biotic and abiotic factors. Understand how living and non-living components interact within various environments and the ecological pyramid's role in energy transfer. Test your knowledge on producers and their significance on our planet.
