Ecosystems and Energy Flow
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Questions and Answers

What is gross primary productivity?

  • The total energy captured by photosynthesis in an ecosystem per unit time. (correct)
  • The energy lost through plant respiration.
  • The amount of carbon dioxide absorbed by plants.
  • The energy converted to biomass available for consumption.

    • What portion of the glucose produced by plants is typically used for cellular respiration?

  • About half (correct)
  • None of it
  • All of it
  • About one third

    • Why is net primary productivity considered the most important measurement in an ecosystem?

  • It shows the total sunlight converted into energy.
  • It indicates the amount of chemical energy available to consumers. (correct)
  • It accounts for the energy consumed by photosynthesis.
  • It reflects the total biomass produced.

    • What is biomass in the context of an ecosystem?

    <p>The amount of organic matter produced by autotrophs.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does net primary productivity vary between ecosystems?

    <p>Tropical rainforests have higher net primary productivity than deserts.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What happens to the glucose not used in cellular respiration by the plant?

    <p>It is stored for future use or used to build other organic compounds.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary source of energy for life on Earth?

    <p>Sunlight</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following statements about photosynthesis is correct?

    <p>It captures energy from sunlight to convert carbon dioxide into glucose.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What percentage of the sun's energy that reaches Earth is used by living organisms?

    <p>1%</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the formula for calculating net primary productivity (NPP)?

    <p>NPP = Gross primary productivity - Energy used in respiration</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which organisms are classified as autotrophs?

    <p>Green plants and algae</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What vital process do autotrophs perform that is essential to the ecosystem?

    <p>Photosynthesis</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following statements is true regarding the role of photosynthesis in the ecosystem?

    <p>Photosynthesis captures sunlight to produce glucose and oxygen.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What key byproduct of photosynthesis contributes to maintaining atmospheric balance?

    <p>Oxygen</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In which environments do autotrophs like algae primarily thrive?

    <p>Aquatic ecosystems</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How do organisms that cannot perform photosynthesis obtain energy?

    <p>By consuming organic compounds like glucose</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which process contributes least to the water cycle compared to plant activity?

    <p>Respiration in animals</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is primarily released back into the atmosphere during cellular respiration?

    <p>Carbon dioxide</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following processes converts dead organisms into fossil fuels, thereby storing carbon underground?

    <p>Decomposition</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How do plants contribute to the carbon cycle?

    <p>By converting carbon dioxide into glucose</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What role does temperature and air pressure play in the water cycle?

    <p>They influence the amount of water vapor the atmosphere can hold</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which component of the carbon cycle directly builds organic compounds for living cells?

    <p>Photosynthesis in plants</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What happens during geochemical processes in relation to carbon?

    <p>Carbon is released from the atmosphere into oceans and sediment</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the outcome of saturated atmosphere in terms of water?

    <p>Precipitation will occur in various forms such as rain or snow</p> Signup and view all the answers

    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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    Related Documents

    Ecosystems and the Biosphere PDF

    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.

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