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Questions and Answers
Approximately what proportion of the radiant energy entering an ecosystem is used in photosynthesis?
Approximately what proportion of the radiant energy entering an ecosystem is used in photosynthesis?
1%
Which pair best represents photosynthetic organisms?
Which pair best represents photosynthetic organisms?
They include bacteria but not fungi.
They include bacteria but not fungi.
True
There is a one-way flow of energy through the food webs of ecosystems.
There is a one-way flow of energy through the food webs of ecosystems.
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A linear depiction of energy flow in an ecosystem is a(n) ______.
A linear depiction of energy flow in an ecosystem is a(n) ______.
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Mice consumption of grasses is harmful to the grass population.
Mice consumption of grasses is harmful to the grass population.
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Which trophic level would contain the lowest quantity of energy (kcal per m2)?
Which trophic level would contain the lowest quantity of energy (kcal per m2)?
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A food web is a more realistic depiction than a food chain because _____
A food web is a more realistic depiction than a food chain because _____
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The accompanying figure represents a _____
The accompanying figure represents a _____
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Pyramids of numbers are of limited usefulness because they do not indicate the biomass of the organisms at a given time.
Pyramids of numbers are of limited usefulness because they do not indicate the biomass of the organisms at a given time.
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What key factor limits the number of trophic levels in an ecosystem?
What key factor limits the number of trophic levels in an ecosystem?
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Biomass reduction from one trophic level to the next is approximately 50%.
Biomass reduction from one trophic level to the next is approximately 50%.
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In an ecosystem, which measure of energy is the largest in amount or rate?
In an ecosystem, which measure of energy is the largest in amount or rate?
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Net primary productivity represents _____
Net primary productivity represents _____
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Arrange the following from the ecosystem with the smallest average NPP to the ecosystems with the largest NPP: 5, 1, 2, 3, 4.
Arrange the following from the ecosystem with the smallest average NPP to the ecosystems with the largest NPP: 5, 1, 2, 3, 4.
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The accompanying figure is a good illustration of _____
The accompanying figure is a good illustration of _____
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In the accompanying figure, the gull has the highest concentration of DDT because it is at the top of the food chain.
In the accompanying figure, the gull has the highest concentration of DDT because it is at the top of the food chain.
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Organisms that eat plants exclusively are known as _____
Organisms that eat plants exclusively are known as _____
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An owl has a positive impact on the grass population.
An owl has a positive impact on the grass population.
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GPP, or Gross Primary Productivity, is _____
GPP, or Gross Primary Productivity, is _____
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The effect of DDT on birds is a result of which three characteristics of DDT?
The effect of DDT on birds is a result of which three characteristics of DDT?
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A pyramid of energy shows that energy decreases as one goes toward the apex of the pyramid.
A pyramid of energy shows that energy decreases as one goes toward the apex of the pyramid.
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What is the third trophic level of a food chain?
What is the third trophic level of a food chain?
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What ecosystem has the highest rate of primary productivity?
What ecosystem has the highest rate of primary productivity?
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The major components of Earth's atmosphere, from the lowest concentration to the greatest concentration, are _____
The major components of Earth's atmosphere, from the lowest concentration to the greatest concentration, are _____
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Which process plays the most important role in the phosphorous cycle?
Which process plays the most important role in the phosphorous cycle?
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Which process is not involved in the hydrologic cycle?
Which process is not involved in the hydrologic cycle?
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Transpiration is most closely associated with _____
Transpiration is most closely associated with _____
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Dissolved phosphorus in aquatic ecosystems may return to the land via _____
Dissolved phosphorus in aquatic ecosystems may return to the land via _____
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Which of the following processes restores nitrogen to the air?
Which of the following processes restores nitrogen to the air?
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Fixation of carbon is accomplished by _____
Fixation of carbon is accomplished by _____
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A primary source of carbon for photosynthetic organisms is _____
A primary source of carbon for photosynthetic organisms is _____
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Which process does not return carbon to the atmosphere?
Which process does not return carbon to the atmosphere?
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Since 1750, which of the following has/have absorbed the most carbon dioxide from the atmosphere?
Since 1750, which of the following has/have absorbed the most carbon dioxide from the atmosphere?
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To date, humans have interfered with all of the biogeochemical cycles on Earth, but this interference has been of the greatest magnitude, in terms of human-induced changes in climate, in the _____
To date, humans have interfered with all of the biogeochemical cycles on Earth, but this interference has been of the greatest magnitude, in terms of human-induced changes in climate, in the _____
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Fossil fuels, such as coal and oil, are derived from which biogeochemical cycle?
Fossil fuels, such as coal and oil, are derived from which biogeochemical cycle?
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The event in human history that changed the natural balance of the carbon cycle was the Industrial Revolution.
The event in human history that changed the natural balance of the carbon cycle was the Industrial Revolution.
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The main steps of the nitrogen cycle are _____
The main steps of the nitrogen cycle are _____
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Which is the greatest sink of phosphorus?
Which is the greatest sink of phosphorus?
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Bacteria are most essential in the cycling of _____
Bacteria are most essential in the cycling of _____
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Nitrogen is a critical requirement for living organisms because it is a component of _____
Nitrogen is a critical requirement for living organisms because it is a component of _____
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Which step of the nitrogen cycle is not performed by most bacteria?
Which step of the nitrogen cycle is not performed by most bacteria?
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Nitrogen-fixing bacteria convert gaseous nitrogen into _____
Nitrogen-fixing bacteria convert gaseous nitrogen into _____
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Plant roots absorb nitrate or ammonia and incorporate these compounds into plant proteins via the process of _____
Plant roots absorb nitrate or ammonia and incorporate these compounds into plant proteins via the process of _____
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Bacterial decomposition of organic nitrogen results in the production of _____
Bacterial decomposition of organic nitrogen results in the production of _____
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Denitrifying bacteria _____
Denitrifying bacteria _____
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The enzyme nitrogenase is important in which part of the nitrogen cycle?
The enzyme nitrogenase is important in which part of the nitrogen cycle?
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How are bacteria important to the genus Rhizobium?
How are bacteria important to the genus Rhizobium?
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Which nutrient cycle does not have a gaseous phase?
Which nutrient cycle does not have a gaseous phase?
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Which issue is least likely to have been the result of human impact on the nitrogen cycle?
Which issue is least likely to have been the result of human impact on the nitrogen cycle?
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During the cycling of phosphorus, which biological process is critical in cycling dissolved phosphorus?
During the cycling of phosphorus, which biological process is critical in cycling dissolved phosphorus?
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The 'sun's energy is produced by _____
The 'sun's energy is produced by _____
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On average, clouds and surfaces, especially snow, ice, and the ocean, immediately reflect away _____% of the solar radiation that falls on Earth.
On average, clouds and surfaces, especially snow, ice, and the ocean, immediately reflect away _____% of the solar radiation that falls on Earth.
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Solar radiation powers the hydrologic and other biogeochemical cycles.
Solar radiation powers the hydrologic and other biogeochemical cycles.
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The primary reason that Earth experiences seasons is because of _____
The primary reason that Earth experiences seasons is because of _____
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The Coriolis effect results in _____
The Coriolis effect results in _____
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The ultimate source of energy for the communities of the hydrothermal vents is provided by _____
The ultimate source of energy for the communities of the hydrothermal vents is provided by _____
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In large measure, differences in _____ that are due to variations in the amount of _____ at different locations on Earth drive the circulation of the atmosphere.
In large measure, differences in _____ that are due to variations in the amount of _____ at different locations on Earth drive the circulation of the atmosphere.
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The clockwise gyre of surface ocean currents in the North Atlantic results in warmer water on Atlantic beaches of North America than Pacific beaches of the same latitude.
The clockwise gyre of surface ocean currents in the North Atlantic results in warmer water on Atlantic beaches of North America than Pacific beaches of the same latitude.
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Which of the following directly drives ocean surface circulation patterns?
Which of the following directly drives ocean surface circulation patterns?
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Drier climates tend to prevail in a rain shadow.
Drier climates tend to prevail in a rain shadow.
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What two abiotic factors are considered to most affect organisms?
What two abiotic factors are considered to most affect organisms?
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Which process is NOT indirectly related to absorption of solar energy by the Earth's surface?
Which process is NOT indirectly related to absorption of solar energy by the Earth's surface?
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The atmosphere performs several essential ecological functions. One of these is to _____
The atmosphere performs several essential ecological functions. One of these is to _____
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What is the least likely effect of fires on organisms?
What is the least likely effect of fires on organisms?
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What did Stephen Carter and his team from the University of Madison-Wisconsin study?
What did Stephen Carter and his team from the University of Madison-Wisconsin study?
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Study Notes
Ecosystem Energy Flow
- Approximately 1% of radiant energy entering an ecosystem is utilized in photosynthesis.
- Photosynthetic organisms include primary producers and autotrophs.
- Energy flows through ecosystems in a one-way manner, represented by food chains and webs.
Food Chains and Food Webs
- A food chain is a linear depiction of energy flow in an ecosystem.
- Organisms in food chains typically don't consume solely one type of food, leading to the complexity of food webs.
- Tertiary consumers possess the lowest energy quantity within a trophic level.
- Secondary consumers represent the third trophic level.
Biomass and Productivity
- Biomass typically decreases by roughly 50% from one trophic level to the next.
- Gross Primary Productivity (GPP) measures the total energy captured by photosynthesis within an ecosystem.
- Net Primary Productivity (NPP) is the biomass produced after energy used in respiration is accounted for.
Ecological Pyramids
- Pyramids of biomass visually represent the distribution of energy at different trophic levels.
- Pyramids of numbers are less informative as they don't indicate biomass.
Nutrient Cycling
- Key cycles include carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus cycles.
- Transpiration, primarily associated with terrestrial plants, plays a critical role in nutrient cycling.
- The largest sinks of carbon dioxide are the oceans and marine sediments.
- Nitrogen fixation converts gaseous nitrogen into ammonia through bacteria, crucial for the nitrogen cycle.
Human Impact and Environmental Changes
- The Industrial Revolution significantly altered the balance of the carbon cycle.
- Human activity has massively influenced biogeochemical cycles, with notable effects on the carbon cycle.
- The phosphorus cycle lacks a gaseous phase, making its cycling different from others.
Climate and Environmental Conditions
- Earth experiences seasons due to its axial tilt.
- Average albedo reflects about 30% of solar radiation back into space.
- Drier climates occur in rain shadow areas, impacted heavily by temperature and water as abiotic factors.
Ocean Currents and Weather Patterns
- Ocean surface circulation patterns are directly influenced by wind.
- The Coriolis effect alters moving air due to Earth's rotation, affecting climate and weather systems.
- Differences in rainfall and solar energy contribute to atmospheric circulation.
Research and Ecological Studies
- Tipping points in endangered food webs were studied by researchers to understand ecological sustainability.
- The effect of fires on ecosystems includes the promotion of growth among shade-tolerant plants.
Other Concepts
- Chemoautotrophic prokaryotes are the primary energy source in hydrothermal vent communities.
- DDT’s impact on bird populations is explained by its persistence, bioaccumulation, and biological magnification characteristics.
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Description
This quiz covers the concepts of energy flow within ecosystems, including the roles of photosynthetic organisms, food chains, and food webs. It also examines biomass, productivity, and ecological pyramids, providing a comprehensive overview of how energy is transferred in various trophic levels. Test your understanding of these key ecological principles.
