Energy and Matter Exchange in the Biosphere

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary source of energy for most organisms on Earth?

Thermal energy from the Earth's core

Energy produced by volcanos

Chemical energy from inorganic compounds

Energy from the Sun (correct)

What term describes organisms that can produce their own food using sunlight?

Consumers

Decomposers

Heterotrophs

Producers (correct)

Which of the following processes do living organisms use to convert carbohydrates into usable energy?

Fermentation

Cellular respiration (correct)

Transpiration

Photosynthesis

What is meant by 'albedo' in the context of energy absorption?

The amount of solar energy reflected by a surface Signup and view all the answers

Which organisms are classified as chemoautotrophs?

Bacteria living around deep-sea vents Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of incoming solar energy is typically absorbed by producers on Earth?

1-2% Signup and view all the answers

What role do producer organisms play in an ecosystem?

They convert solar energy into chemical energy Signup and view all the answers

How do bacteria inside tubeworms contribute to their hosts' survival in deep-sea environments?

By performing chemosynthesis Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'dynamic equilibrium' refer to in an ecosystem?

The continuous exchange of energy and matter within biotic and abiotic components. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about biotic factors is true?

Biotic factors encompass living components such as reproduction and competition. Signup and view all the answers

Which type of system allows for both energy and matter to be exchanged?

Open system Signup and view all the answers

The biosphere includes which of the following components?

The gaseous and solid parts that support life. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of ecology as a field of study?

The relationships between organisms and their environment. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT considered an abiotic factor?

Decomposers Signup and view all the answers

What is chemosynthesis?

The use of inorganic substances to produce energy by certain organisms. Signup and view all the answers

Biomagnification primarily refers to what phenomenon?

The accumulation of toxins in organisms at higher trophic levels. Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes the first trophic level in an ecosystem?

It includes herbivores known as primary consumers. Signup and view all the answers

Why is energy transfer in trophic levels approximately only 10%?

Energy is lost in metabolic processes and heat. Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of decomposers in the trophic levels?

They can feed at all trophic levels. Signup and view all the answers

How does energy availability influence the number of organisms in an ecosystem?

Lower energy levels limit the number of organisms. Signup and view all the answers

In which trophic level would you find tertiary consumers?

Third trophic level Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a function of cellular respiration in animals?

To convert energy from food into a usable form. Signup and view all the answers

What is a quaternary consumer?

An organism that feeds on secondary consumers. Signup and view all the answers

What happens to energy when it moves up trophic levels in an ecosystem?

Energy decreases significantly. Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary characteristic of ecological pyramids?

The pyramids can be either upright or inverted depending on the ecosystem. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is true regarding the pyramid of energy?

It is always upright due to energy loss at higher trophic levels. Signup and view all the answers

What happens to the biomass in a forest ecosystem compared to the number of primary consumers?

There are significantly fewer producers than primary consumers. Signup and view all the answers

Why is the rate of energy transfer across trophic levels frequently estimated at 10%?

Due to the inefficiency of energy transformations in ecosystems. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best describes biomagnification?

It can occur with substances like DDT and mercury. Signup and view all the answers

What ecological phenomenon can result in an inverted pyramid of biomass?

Phytoplankton consumption rate equaling their reproduction rate. Signup and view all the answers

After DDT was banned in the US and Canada, its production continued in which areas?

Central America and Mexico. Signup and view all the answers

What is a common misconception about ecological pyramids?

The biomass of producers can never be less than that of primary consumers. Signup and view all the answers

What process involves the transfer of thermal energy through direct contact between particles?

Conduction Signup and view all the answers

Which trophic level consists primarily of producers within an ecosystem?

First trophic level Signup and view all the answers

In which type of ecosystems can chemosynthetic producers be found?

In soil, hot springs, salty lakes, and deep sea hydrothermal vent communities Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes the transfer of thermal energy through the movement of particles?

Convection Signup and view all the answers

What happens to the kinetic energy of particles when radiation is absorbed?

It increases, raising the temperature Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes primary consumers from other consumer types?

They directly eat producers. Signup and view all the answers

What forms a self-regulating system in an ecosystem?

The interaction of biotic and abiotic components Signup and view all the answers

What happens to most energy during transformations in the biosphere?

It is wasted as thermal energy. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about decomposers is true?

Decomposers utilize leftover dead matter and waste for energy. Signup and view all the answers

In which phase does thermal energy transfer occur primarily without the movement of particles?

Conduction Signup and view all the answers

Which process primarily involves the transmission of energy as electromagnetic waves?

Radiation Signup and view all the answers

What is the ultimate source of energy for all living things according to the content provided?

The sun Signup and view all the answers

What is the term used for the continuous and simultaneous processes occurring within an ecosystem like birth, growth, and decomposition?

Dynamic equilibrium Signup and view all the answers

Which statement about the thermodynamics of energy in a closed system is correct?

Energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed. Signup and view all the answers

Which organisms are classified as detritivores?

Earthworms and dung flies Signup and view all the answers

What role do scavengers play in an ecosystem?

They consume large particles of detritus. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Unit: Energy and Matter Exchange in the Biosphere

The unit covers energy transfer and cycles of matter in the biosphere.

Chapter 1: Energy Transfer in the Biosphere

Key terms: cellular respiration, photosynthesis, producers, consumers, albedo, chemosynthesis, primary consumers, secondary consumers, decomposers, trophic levels, food chain, food web, biomass, pyramid of numbers, pyramid of biomass, pyramid of energy, biomagnification.

Chapter 2: Cycles of Matter

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Ecology: The Study of Ecology

Ecology is the study of relationships between living things (organisms) and their non-living surroundings (the environment).
The term "ecology" comes from the Greek words "oikos" (meaning household)
Ecology encompasses natural, cultural, and technological dimensions of inquiry focusing on the environment.
Coined by Ernst Haeckel

Biotic and Abiotic Factors of an Ecosystem

Biotic factors: Living components and processes of an ecosystem, like photosynthesis, cellular respiration, fermentation, growth, reproduction, parasitism, disease, competition, and population density.
Abiotic factors: Non-living components of an ecosystem, like sunlight, heat, water, and soil.

Dynamic Equilibrium

The living (biotic) and non-living (abiotic) components of an ecosystem form a self-regulating system where energy and matter are transferred through birth, growth, production, breathing, movement, consumption, death, and decomposition, that are continuous and simultaneous

Systems Classification (Open, Closed, Isolated)

Open system: Exchanges both energy and matter with its surroundings (e.g., a tree).
Closed system: Exchanges energy but not matter with its surroundings (e.g., Earth).
Isolated system: Exchanges neither energy nor matter with its surroundings, theoretical example (universe).

Earth as a Closed System

Earth absorbs solar energy and thermal energy is radiated back into space.
Matter cycles within Earth; matter is not exchanged with the surroundings.

Biosphere: All areas of Earth Supporting Life

Consists of the atmosphere (gaseous part of earth, mostly within 10 km of Earth's surface, with 21% oxygen), lithosphere (rocky & solid part of Earth), and hydrosphere (all of Earth's water in all three states).
Contains various organisms requiring energy for growth, body processes, reproduction, and movement.
Driven by energy from the Sun.

Producers (Autotrophs)

Photosynthetic organisms (plants, phytoplankton, some bacteria) use solar (sun) energy to produce carbohydrates.

Cellular Respiration

All living things (producers and consumers) must convert these carbohydrates into useable energy through cellular respiration (or fermentation).

Photosynthesis vs Cellular Respiration

These processes have opposite reactions. Photosynthesis is how plants store energy from the sun, taking in carbon dioxide, absorbing water, and producing oxygen. Cellular Respiration releases energy stored in glucose.

Chemosynthesis

Autotrophic bacteria in deep-sea vents use chemical energy from hydrogen sulfide (or other molecules) for energy when solar energy is not available to produce carbohydrates.

Consumers (Heterotrophs)

Must consume autotrophs(or other heterotrophs) for energy.
Subtypes include herbivores(only consume producers), carnivores(consume other animals), omnivores (consume both plants and animals), and parasites (live on or in a host organism and cause damage).

Trophic Levels

Levels in an ecosystem in order of how energy is transferred: producers, primary consumers, secondary consumers, tertiary consumers, and quaternary consumers, decomposers.
Primary producers (autotrophs), primary consumers (herbivores), secondary consumers (carnivores or omnivores), tertiary consumers (carnivores only), quaternary consumers (typically carnivores).

Energy Transfer Through Food Chains/Webs

Energy transfers from one trophic level to another.
Only about 10% of the energy available at one trophic level is transferred to the next.
The rest of the energy is lost in the form of heat during metabolic activities.

Food Chains & Food Webs

A food chain depicts a single pathway of energy transfer, while a food web shows the interconnected feeding relationships among many food chains.
Food webs are more realistic representations of energy flow in an ecosystem.
Food webs demonstrate the connections among different trophic levels.

Biomagnification

Toxins tend to accumulate at higher trophic levels in food webs (also known as bioaccumulation).
Organisms at higher trophic levels consume greater amounts of organisms at lower levels, concentrating toxins, resulting in potentially high levels in the top predators.
Example of DDT causing problems in birds.

Biomagnification Examples

Mercury in aquatic systems.
PCBs.
Other toxins in various types of ecosystems.

Ecological Pyramids

Numbers: Represents the number of individuals at each trophic level. Often upright, but can be inverted in some cases such as a forest, when trees can support many insects.
Biomass: Refers to the total mass of organisms at each trophic level. Also, can be inverted in specific cases.
Energy: Reflects the total available energy at each trophic level- always upright. It never changes trophic levels- only decreases.

Changes to Trophic Levels

Changes to one level affect energy transfer in the food chain/web and impact biodiversity, feeding relationships, and survival of species in the ecosystem.

Cycles of Matter

Water (and other chemicals) circulates continuously in the biosphere.
Earth is a closed system. All matter is recycled.
Biogeochemical cycles transfer matter/energy between organisms, soil, air, and water (in an ecosystem).

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Description

This quiz focuses on energy transfer, including cellular respiration and photosynthesis, as well as the cycles of matter within ecosystems. It incorporates key terms and concepts related to ecology, such as trophic levels and food webs. Test your understanding of the relationships between living organisms and their environment.