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Questions and Answers
Which type of organism is identified as not being an autotroph?
Which type of organism is identified as not being an autotroph?
What ecosystem is mentioned as the most diverse?
What ecosystem is mentioned as the most diverse?
Which factor is mentioned as contributing to productivity in major biomes?
Which factor is mentioned as contributing to productivity in major biomes?
Which statement about plants is indicated in the content?
Which statement about plants is indicated in the content?
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What is referred to when discussing 'net primary production'?
What is referred to when discussing 'net primary production'?
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What percentage of energy is absorbed by the surface?
What percentage of energy is absorbed by the surface?
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What is the primary way energy is lost to space as heat?
What is the primary way energy is lost to space as heat?
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Which condition must be satisfied for spontaneous energy transformation to occur?
Which condition must be satisfied for spontaneous energy transformation to occur?
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What percentage of energy is absorbed by the atmosphere?
What percentage of energy is absorbed by the atmosphere?
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How is energy that has been reradiated characterized?
How is energy that has been reradiated characterized?
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Which option represents a method through which energy is transformed but not absorbed?
Which option represents a method through which energy is transformed but not absorbed?
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What is the combined percentage of energy reflected and absorbed by the atmosphere?
What is the combined percentage of energy reflected and absorbed by the atmosphere?
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Which of the following processes contributes to the dissipation of energy in the environment?
Which of the following processes contributes to the dissipation of energy in the environment?
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What role do geese play in relation to grass in the ecosystem?
What role do geese play in relation to grass in the ecosystem?
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How do nutrients enter the living part of the Earth according to nutrient budgets?
How do nutrients enter the living part of the Earth according to nutrient budgets?
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What is a result of decomposition regarding carbon compounds?
What is a result of decomposition regarding carbon compounds?
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Which of the following substances can act as storage for nutrients within the ecosystem?
Which of the following substances can act as storage for nutrients within the ecosystem?
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What is a key component of the carbon cycle mentioned in the context?
What is a key component of the carbon cycle mentioned in the context?
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Which process is directly responsible for the release of methane?
Which process is directly responsible for the release of methane?
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What incorrect assumption might one make about nutrient storage?
What incorrect assumption might one make about nutrient storage?
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What contributes to the nutrient cycling process aside from faeces?
What contributes to the nutrient cycling process aside from faeces?
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What role do minerals such as nitrogen and phosphorus play in biological processes for plants?
What role do minerals such as nitrogen and phosphorus play in biological processes for plants?
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Which of the following minerals is classified as a micronutrient?
Which of the following minerals is classified as a micronutrient?
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Which statement best describes the function of major minerals in plants?
Which statement best describes the function of major minerals in plants?
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What is a common characteristic of micronutrients in plants?
What is a common characteristic of micronutrients in plants?
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Which of the following elements is not considered a mineral nutrient?
Which of the following elements is not considered a mineral nutrient?
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In the context of nutrition for humans and plants, what does the term 'mineral nutrients' refer to?
In the context of nutrition for humans and plants, what does the term 'mineral nutrients' refer to?
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Which micronutrient is predominant for chlorophyll synthesis in plants?
Which micronutrient is predominant for chlorophyll synthesis in plants?
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What happens when plants lack essential mineral nutrients?
What happens when plants lack essential mineral nutrients?
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Which nutrient is classified as a major mineral nutrient essential for bones and teeth in humans?
Which nutrient is classified as a major mineral nutrient essential for bones and teeth in humans?
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What is the primary source of hydrogen for plants?
What is the primary source of hydrogen for plants?
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What is a key benefit of nitrogen fixation in legumes?
What is a key benefit of nitrogen fixation in legumes?
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Which process leads to the solubilization of minerals in rock or soil?
Which process leads to the solubilization of minerals in rock or soil?
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Which factor contributes to the growth-limiting properties in ecosystems?
Which factor contributes to the growth-limiting properties in ecosystems?
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What is a major characteristic of the nitrogen cycle involving nitrification?
What is a major characteristic of the nitrogen cycle involving nitrification?
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What percentage of sulfur dioxide (SO2) is attributed to anthropogenic sources?
What percentage of sulfur dioxide (SO2) is attributed to anthropogenic sources?
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How does acid rain impact ecosystems?
How does acid rain impact ecosystems?
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What role do root nodules play in the ecosystems of legumes?
What role do root nodules play in the ecosystems of legumes?
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What is one indirect effect of volcanism on soil ecosystems?
What is one indirect effect of volcanism on soil ecosystems?
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What is the primary function of clay in soil?
What is the primary function of clay in soil?
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Which component of the sulfur cycle is most likely to contribute to acid rain?
Which component of the sulfur cycle is most likely to contribute to acid rain?
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Root nodules in legumes primarily benefit which organisms?
Root nodules in legumes primarily benefit which organisms?
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What happens to phosphorus during biological cycling in ecosystems?
What happens to phosphorus during biological cycling in ecosystems?
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What is a consequence of poorly draining clay soils in agriculture?
What is a consequence of poorly draining clay soils in agriculture?
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In which part of the ecosystem is the conversion of ammonium to nitrate primarily undertaken?
In which part of the ecosystem is the conversion of ammonium to nitrate primarily undertaken?
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Study Notes
Energy Transformations
- Energy can spontaneously transform under conditions where the entropy of the universe increases
- ~ 75% of solar energy is absorbed by the Earth, ~ 45% by the surface and ~ 30% by the atmosphere.
- ~ 25% of solar energy is reflected back into space.
Heterotrophs
- Not all plants are autotrophs (e.g. ghostpipe)
- The productivity of a biome is determined by its environmental constraints
- Rainforests are the most diverse ecosystems
- Heterotrophs depend on autotrophs directly or indirectly for energy
Biological Processes
- Plants use carbon dioxide, oxygen, hydrogen, and mineral nutrients for growth
- Mineral nutrients include nitrogen, phosphorus, carbon, calcium, magnesium, sulfur, and potassium
- Micronutrients are required in small quantities and include iron, manganese, boron, chlorine, and sodium
- The carbon cycle involves the movement of carbon through the living and non-living components of the Earth
- Methane is produced by decomposition and can be oxidized industrially
- Root nodules in legumes provide bacteria with energy and enhance nitrogen fixation
- Solubilization of minerals in rocks and soil makes them water soluble and usable by organisms
Soil
- Soil is the foundation of ecosystems
- Soil provides physical support for plants
- Clay is dominant in drainage, and nutrients can pass through organisms
Nitrogen and Sulfur Cycles
- The nitrogen cycle involves the fixation, nitrification, and denitrification of nitrogen.
- Sulfur is stored in sediments, volcanoes, and lakes.
- Acid rain results from the release of sulfur dioxide into the atmosphere.
- 78% of sulfur dioxide in the atmosphere is anthropogenic (human-caused).
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Description
Explore the interplay of energy transformations and biological processes in ecosystems. This quiz covers concepts including heterotrophs and their relationship with autotrophs, as well as the role of mineral nutrients in plant growth. Understand how solar energy influences various biomes and the importance of the carbon cycle.
