Ecosystem Dynamics

Questions and Answers

What is the primary source of energy for ecosystems?

Air

Soil

Water

Sunlight (correct)

Hawks eat plants directly to obtain energy.

False

Name one nonliving component of an ecosystem.

Water

Plants use sunlight to convert CO2 and water into ______.

glucose Signup and view all the answers

Match the organisms with their roles in the energy flow:

Plant = Primary producer Mice = Primary consumer Snake = Secondary consumer Hawk = Tertiary consumer Signup and view all the answers

Primary consumers are known as carnivores.

False Signup and view all the answers

Name two types of consumers in an ecosystem.

Primary Consumers and Secondary Consumers Signup and view all the answers

Fungi and bacteria are examples of ________, which break down dead organic matter.

decomposers Signup and view all the answers

Match the following types of consumers with their definitions:

Primary Consumers = Herbivores that eat producers Secondary Consumers = Carnivores that eat primary consumers Tertiary Consumers = Top predators in the food chain Decomposers = Organisms that break down dead matter Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Ecosystem Overview

Ecosystems consist of living organisms and nonliving things.
Nonliving elements include water, soil, air, temperature, minerals, and light (sun).

Interactions in Ecosystems

Living organisms, such as plants, utilize nonliving components for photosynthesis to create food.
Energy flows through ecosystems: from plants to animals, between animals, and returns to soil upon the death of organisms.
The sun is the primary source of energy in ecosystems.

Energy Flow and Food Chain

Example of energy transfer:
- Plants absorb sunlight to make food.
- Primary consumers (herbivores) like mice or rabbits eat plants.
- Secondary consumers (carnivores) such as snakes eat these primary consumers.
- Tertiary consumers, including hawks and eagles, eat other animals, including snakes.
When a hawk dies, its energy is returned to the soil.

Types of Living Organisms

Living organisms are categorized based on feeding methods:
- Producers:
  - Plants that manufacture their own food using sunlight (photosynthesis).
  - Produce glucose which is energy-rich.
- Consumers:
  - Organisms that eat plants and/or other animals for energy.
  - Classified into three types: primary (herbivores), secondary, and tertiary consumers.
- Decomposers:
  - Tiny organisms like fungi and bacteria that break down dead matter into nutrients.
  - Decomposition enriches soil fertility by returning small nutrient-rich particles to the soil.

Nutrient Cycle in Ecosystems

Decomposed matter increases soil fertility, facilitating growth for new plants.
Nutrients from decomposed organisms benefit the soil, enhancing its viability for future plant life.

Additional Notes

Activities requiring high energy include exercise and hard work, while those needing low energy include sleeping and resting.
Plants are unique as they are the only living organisms capable of producing their own food (manufacturing).

Description

This quiz explores the interactions between living organisms and nonliving components within an ecosystem. It covers essential elements such as water, soil, and sunlight, and how they contribute to processes like photosynthesis. Test your knowledge on how these interactions maintain ecological balance.