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Questions and Answers
What does a biomass pyramid estimate?
What does a biomass pyramid estimate?
The dry mass of all the organisms within a level.
What is the unit of measurement for a biomass pyramid?
What is the unit of measurement for a biomass pyramid?
g/m^2/yr
What does a number pyramid represent?
What does a number pyramid represent?
The number of organisms at a specific level.
Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of an open system?
Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of an open system?
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What is the primary production in an ecosystem driven by?
What is the primary production in an ecosystem driven by?
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What influences the biomass generated by the activity of producers?
What influences the biomass generated by the activity of producers?
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What is the primary production of an ecosystem influenced by?
What is the primary production of an ecosystem influenced by?
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What is secondary production defined as?
What is secondary production defined as?
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What is the process of secondary production?
What is the process of secondary production?
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What does GPP stand for?
What does GPP stand for?
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How is GPP measured?
How is GPP measured?
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What is NPP defined as?
What is NPP defined as?
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Study Notes
Energy Pyramid
- Diagram representing energy transfer between trophic levels
- Shows how much & fast energy moves between levels
- Unit: kJ m⁻² y⁻¹ or kJ m⁻² y⁻¹
- No longer than 5 organisms
Systems
- Open System: Energy and matter can enter and exit the system (migration, river flow, deforestation)
- Closed System: Only energy can pass in and out; matter must be recycled (ex. earth)
Biomass Pyramid
- Estimates dry mass of all organisms within a level
- Unit: gm² y⁻¹
Number Pyramid
- Number of organisms at a specific level
Summary Diagram
- All organic parts are released as heat (non-recyclable)
- Inorganic parts (nutrients) are recyclable
Production
- Primary: Biomass generated by producers; influenced by sunlight; different biomes = different biomass accumulation
- Secondary: Addition of biomass in subsequent trophic levels; conversion of one form of molecule to another inside consumers
Carbon Cycle
- Carbon exists in atmosphere, lithosphere, hydrosphere
- Processes like volcanic activity, respiration, photosynthesis, feeding, excretion, decomposition are all involved
- Carbon Cycle today (nowadays) vs 300 years ago
- CO₂ is absorbed / produced in various ways
Gross Primary Production (GPP)
- Biomass made during photosynthesis
Net Primary Production (NPP)
- Primary production – respiration
- Photosynthesis - Respiration
Keeling Curve
- NOAA's long-term monitoring of atmospheric CO₂ levels
- Data collected at Mauna Loa, Hawaii
- Shows increasing CO₂ levels over time
- Oscillating pattern due to seasonal changes (more CO₂ absorbed in summer/autumn)
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Description
Explore the intricate relationships of energy transfer within ecosystems through energy pyramids, biomass pyramids, and the number of organisms across trophic levels. This quiz covers the essential concepts of primary and secondary production, as well as the carbon cycle. Test your knowledge on open and closed systems and their impact on energy flow and matter recycling.
