Energy in Ecosystems

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Questions and Answers

What distinguishes autotrophs from heterotrophs in nutrient acquisition?

Autotrophs synthesize their own food, while heterotrophs do not. (correct)

Autotrophs cannot convert chemical energy into food.

Heterotrophs synthesize food from inorganic compounds, while autotrophs use organic compounds.

Heterotrophs use sunlight to produce energy, while autotrophs do not.

Which organisms are classified as photoautotrophs?

Fungi that feed on decaying matter

Bacteria that utilize chemical reactions

Animals that consume plants

Plants that use sunlight for energy (correct)

What is the primary role of ATP in cellular processes?

Transferring energy efficiently within the cell. (correct)

Creating new cells from raw materials.

Storing large amounts of energy for long periods.

Synthesizing proteins during cell division.

What happens when ATP loses a phosphate group?

It becomes AMP, releasing energy. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement about AMP is true?

AMP has no high-energy bonds. Signup and view all the answers

What process describes the transfer of a phosphate group from one molecule to another?

Phosphorylation Signup and view all the answers

Which type of organisms primarily utilizes chemicals in their environment to synthesize food?

Chemoautotrophs Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following correctly describes the relationship between ATP, ADP, and AMP?

ATP is converted to ADP, which is then converted to AMP. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of photosynthesis in organisms?

To convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen Signup and view all the answers

Which statement about the chlorophyll is accurate?

Chlorophyll a and b primarily absorb blue and red wavelengths. Signup and view all the answers

What conclusion did Jan van Helmont reach regarding a tree's mass?

Trees gain most of their mass from water. Signup and view all the answers

What role do accessory pigments play in photosynthesis?

They absorb wavelengths of light that chlorophyll cannot. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements is true about the overall equation of photosynthesis?

It includes oxygen as a product of the reaction. Signup and view all the answers

During which condition do aquatic plants produce oxygen according to Jan Ingenhousz's conclusion?

In the presence of sunlight Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of light in photosynthesis?

Light is absorbed to provide energy for the process. Signup and view all the answers

Which type of chlorophyll is the most common in green plants?

Chlorophyll a Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Energy & Life

Energy is the ability to do work
Organisms get energy from food
Not all organisms make their own food

Autotrophs

Autotrophs synthesize their own food using raw materials from their environment
Examples include plants, some protists, and some bacteria
Autotrophs are producers

Photoautotrophs

Photoautotrophs use sunlight to make food

Chemoautotrophs

Chemoautotrophs use chemicals in their environment to make food

Heterotrophs

Heterotrophs are not able to synthesize their own food
They obtain energy by consuming other organisms
Examples include animals, some protists, some bacteria, and fungi
Heterotrophs are consumers

Autotrophs & Heterotrophs, cont'

A one-way flow of energy exists through the ecosystem
Autotrophs are primary producers
Plants and phytoplankton are examples
Heterotrophs are consumers of various levels
Primary consumers feed on autotrophs
Secondary consumers feed on primary consumers etc...

Ecological Pyramids

Depicts the feeding relationships between organisms in an ecosystem, showing energy transfer
Producers form the base, followed by consumers up the pyramid

Food Chain

A linear representation of energy flow in an ecosystem
Producers -> Primary consumers -> Secondary consumers -> Tertiary consumers

Energy

Light, heat, and electricity are forms of energy
Usable energy is stored in chemical bonds within food
Breaking these bonds releases energy and creates molecules of ATP

ATP

ATP stands for adenosine triphosphate
ATP is an energy storage molecule for cells
ATP is very efficient at transferring energy, but not efficient at storing it
Cells make ATP as needed

ATP, cont'

ATP is made of adenine, a ribose sugar, and 3 phosphate groups

ATP, ADP & AMP

ATP has two high-energy bonds
Breaking one of these bonds releases energy and forms ADP
ADP has one high-energy bond
Breaking that bond forms AMP
Phosphate groups can be removed or added to ATP, ADP, or AMP

Scientists & Photosynthesis

Photosynthesis is the process organisms use to convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen, using energy from the sun

Overall Equation: Photosynthesis

6 CO2 + 6 H2O → C6H12O6 + 6 O2

Jan van Helmont (1643)

Question: Does a tree's mass increase from soil or air?
Conclusion: Trees gain most of their mass from water

Joseph Priestley (1771)

Conclusion: Plants release a substance needed to keep a candle burning—that substance is oxygen

Jan Ingenhousz (1779)

Conclusion: Aquatic plants produce oxygen in light, not in the dark; therefore, they need sunlight to produce oxygen

The Chloroplast

Part of the plant cell
Contains thylakoid membranes, stroma, and other compartments

Chlorophyll

Photosynthetic pigment in green plants
Found in thylakoid membranes of chloroplasts
Five types of chlorophyll: chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, chlorophyll c, chlorophyll d, bacteriochlorophyll
Chlorophyll absorbs blue and red light, reflecting green light

Chlorophyll, cont'

Chlorophyll is a pigment
Each chlorophyll type captures different wavelengths of light
Plants use accessory pigments to capture wavelengths of light chlorophyll cannot capture

Light

Sunlight travels through space as waves

Light, cont'

The portion of light we see is called the visible spectrum
Light is a form of energy
Wavelength (λ) is the distance between crests of light waves in one complete cycle
Frequency is the number of crests that pass a point in one second

Accessory Pigments

Carotene = orange
Xanthophyll = yellow

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Description

This quiz covers the fundamental concepts of energy flow in ecosystems, focusing on the roles of autotrophs and heterotrophs. Learn how different organisms obtain energy and the importance of producers and consumers in the ecological system.