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Questions and Answers
What is gross primary productivity?
What is gross primary productivity?
What portion of the glucose produced by plants is typically used for cellular respiration?
What portion of the glucose produced by plants is typically used for cellular respiration?
Why is net primary productivity considered the most important measurement in an ecosystem?
Why is net primary productivity considered the most important measurement in an ecosystem?
What is biomass in the context of an ecosystem?
What is biomass in the context of an ecosystem?
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How does net primary productivity vary between ecosystems?
How does net primary productivity vary between ecosystems?
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What happens to the glucose not used in cellular respiration by the plant?
What happens to the glucose not used in cellular respiration by the plant?
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What is the primary source of energy for life on Earth?
What is the primary source of energy for life on Earth?
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Which of the following statements about photosynthesis is correct?
Which of the following statements about photosynthesis is correct?
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What percentage of the sun's energy that reaches Earth is used by living organisms?
What percentage of the sun's energy that reaches Earth is used by living organisms?
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What is the formula for calculating net primary productivity (NPP)?
What is the formula for calculating net primary productivity (NPP)?
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Which organisms are classified as autotrophs?
Which organisms are classified as autotrophs?
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What vital process do autotrophs perform that is essential to the ecosystem?
What vital process do autotrophs perform that is essential to the ecosystem?
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Which of the following statements is true regarding the role of photosynthesis in the ecosystem?
Which of the following statements is true regarding the role of photosynthesis in the ecosystem?
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What key byproduct of photosynthesis contributes to maintaining atmospheric balance?
What key byproduct of photosynthesis contributes to maintaining atmospheric balance?
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In which environments do autotrophs like algae primarily thrive?
In which environments do autotrophs like algae primarily thrive?
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How do organisms that cannot perform photosynthesis obtain energy?
How do organisms that cannot perform photosynthesis obtain energy?
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Which process contributes least to the water cycle compared to plant activity?
Which process contributes least to the water cycle compared to plant activity?
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What is primarily released back into the atmosphere during cellular respiration?
What is primarily released back into the atmosphere during cellular respiration?
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Which of the following processes converts dead organisms into fossil fuels, thereby storing carbon underground?
Which of the following processes converts dead organisms into fossil fuels, thereby storing carbon underground?
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How do plants contribute to the carbon cycle?
How do plants contribute to the carbon cycle?
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What role does temperature and air pressure play in the water cycle?
What role does temperature and air pressure play in the water cycle?
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Which component of the carbon cycle directly builds organic compounds for living cells?
Which component of the carbon cycle directly builds organic compounds for living cells?
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What happens during geochemical processes in relation to carbon?
What happens during geochemical processes in relation to carbon?
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What is the outcome of saturated atmosphere in terms of water?
What is the outcome of saturated atmosphere in terms of water?
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Study Notes
Ecosystems and Energy Flow
- An ecosystem includes all living organisms and abiotic factors in a given area
- The sun is the ultimate energy source for all life on Earth
- Only a small fraction (less than 1%) of the sun's energy is used by living organisms
- Photosynthesis is the process by which green plants (and some others) convert water and carbon dioxide into glucose using sunlight
- Autotrophs are organisms capable of producing their own food through photosynthesis, including green plants, algae, some bacteria, and some protists
- Autotrophs are also called producers
- Heterotrophs are organisms that cannot produce their own food and obtain energy from consuming other organisms; these are also called consumers
- Herbivores eat only plants
- Carnivores eat only other animals
- Omnivores eat both plants and animals
- Detritivores feed on dead organic matter
- Decomposers break down organic matter, releasing nutrients
- Energy flows through an ecosystem in a one-way path, from the sun to producers, then to consumers
Feeding Relationships
- A food chain depicts a series of steps in which organisms transfer energy by eating and being eaten
- All food chains start with an autotroph
- A food web is a network of multiple food chains
Trophic Levels
- Each step in a food chain is a trophic level
- Producers form the first trophic level
- Herbivores (primary consumers) form the second trophic level
- Predators of herbivores (secondary consumers) form the third level
- Predators of secondary consumers (tertiary consumers) form the fourth level
- Transfer of energy between trophic levels is inefficient, with only about 10% of energy transferred to the next level.
Ecosystem Productivity
- Gross primary productivity (GPP) is the rate at which producers convert light energy to chemical energy through photosynthesis
- Net primary productivity (NPP) is the GPP minus the energy used by the producers for respiration
- The amount of net primary productivity varies greatly between ecosystems, with factors such as light, temperature, and rainfall contributing to the amount of productivity
- Biomass is the total mass of organic matter in an ecosystem
Ecosystem Recycling
- Energy flows in one direction within an ecosystem
- Matter is recycled within and between ecosystems through biogeochemical cycles
- Biogeochemical cycles involve the biological, geological, and chemical aspects of the biosphere
- Key biogeochemical cycles include the water, carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus cycles
Water Cycle
- Evaporation of water from bodies of water, living organisms (transpiration), and the atmosphere is a driving force of the water cycle.
- Condensation forms clouds and causes precipitation, which returns water to Earth.
- Water moves between ground, air, and living organisms
Carbon Cycle
- Photosynthesis removes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
- Cellular respiration and decomposition release carbon dioxide back to the atmosphere.
- Cycles are driven by respiration and decomposition, with human activities significantly affecting current levels.
Nitrogen Cycle
- Nitrogen fixation converts atmospheric nitrogen into a usable form for plants.
- Plants use nitrogen to build proteins and other essential compounds
- Ammonification converts waste and dead organisms into ammonia
- Nitrification converts ammonia to nitrates (forms usable by plants)
- Denitrification converts nitrates back to atmospheric nitrogen
- Various soil bacteria play crucial roles in each step of this cycle
Phosphorus Cycle
- Phosphates are found in rocks and soil and are crucial for energy transfer processes
- Plants assimilate phosphorus into their organic compounds
- Phosphorus is essential for DNA and ATP synthesis
- Cycles primarily among organisms and the land, with less significant atmospheric movement.
Nutrient Limitation
- A limiting nutrient is a single nutrient that limits the growth of organisms in an ecosystem
- Nitrogen or phosphorus can be limiting nutrients in many areas
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Description
Explore the intricate relationships within ecosystems and understand how energy flows among living organisms. This quiz covers key concepts like the roles of autotrophs and heterotrophs, photosynthesis, and the various types of consumers. Test your knowledge on how energy is transferred in diverse ecological systems.