Matter, Energy, and Life (Chapter 3)
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Matter, Energy, and Life (Chapter 3)

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Which statement about matter is true?

  • Matter exists in four distinct states: solid, liquid, gas, and vacuum.
  • Matter is infinitely disposable and does not get recycled.
  • Matter can be created or destroyed under certain conditions.
  • Matter is neither created nor destroyed but recycled repeatedly. (correct)

    • What are the four distinct states of matter?

  • Solid, liquid, gas, and energy.
  • Solid, liquid, gas, and plasma. (correct)
  • Gas, plasma, dark matter, and liquid.
  • Liquid, gas, vapor, and solid.

    • In what phase does matter become ionized?

  • Solid.
  • Gas.
  • Plasma. (correct)
  • Liquid.

    • How does the concept of conservation of matter relate to environmental systems?

    <p>It explains how components are interconnected, with all matter originating and dispersing somewhere.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How do chemical elements function in living organisms?

    <p>They are continuously used and reused by living organisms.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the general effect of hypoxia on ecosystems?

    <p>It leads to a decrease in aquatic life due to lack of oxygen.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does tracing nutrient origins in an ecosystem help us understand?

    <p>The interconnectedness of ecosystem components.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why is understanding the transfer of energy and nutrients important?

    <p>It connects living organisms to their environment and each other.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary function of lipids in living organisms?

    <p>Store energy for cells</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which statement about carbohydrates is true?

    <p>They have a structure consisting of carbon and hydroxyl groups.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are proteins primarily composed of?

    <p>Chains of amino acids</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which function do nucleotides NOT perform?

    <p>Transport nutrients across cell membranes</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What role do enzymes play in cellular functions?

    <p>Act as molecular catalysts regulating chemical reactions</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of these describes kinetic energy?

    <p>Energy possessed by a moving object</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of energy is represented by a boulder resting on top of a hill?

    <p>Potential energy</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a key characteristic of chemical energy?

    <p>It is found in the bonds of molecules.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What happens to the kinetic energy of molecules when a substance absorbs heat?

    <p>It increases.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The energy needed to heat one gram of pure water by one degree Celsius is measured in which unit?

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

    Which of the following best describes the organization of cells in higher organisms?

    <p>They consist of specialized varieties of cells.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is meant by the term metabolism in an organism?

    <p>The total of all enzymatic reactions occurring in an organism</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How are DNA molecules structured?

    <p>In a stable double helix formation</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which four elements make up more than 96 percent of the mass of most living organisms?

    <p>Oxygen, Carbon, Hydrogen, Nitrogen</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the term for forms of the same element that have different numbers of neutrons?

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

    What are the two types of bonds formed by atoms joining together?

    <p>Covalent and Ionic bonds</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which isotope of hydrogen contains one proton and one neutron?

    <p>Deuterium (2H)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In the context of water (H2O), which statement accurately describes the polar nature of the molecule?

    <p>Hydrogen has a slight positive charge, and oxygen has a slight negative charge.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the term for the process when an atom gains electrons?

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

    What is the result of forming a bond between atoms?

    <p>Energy is released, making the reaction feel warmer.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which particles primarily determine the mass of an atom?

    <p>Protons and neutrons</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the effect of a shortage of essential elements in an ecosystem?

    <p>It can lead to dramatic destabilization.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following statements about atomic structure is true?

    <p>Electrons orbit the atomic nucleus.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following compounds cannot exist as a single pair of atoms?

    <p>Sodium chloride (NaCl)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following accurately describes an ionic bond?

    <p>Atoms transfer electrons to form charged ions.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following isotopes of oxygen indicates a warmer ancient climate when found in ice core samples?

    <p>18O</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary characteristic of elements that cannot be broken down by ordinary chemical reactions?

    <p>They are elements.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What charge does an atom typically have when it has an equal number of protons and electrons?

    <p>Neutral charge</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is required to start chemical reactions?

    <p>Energy input</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why do water molecules create high surface tension?

    <p>They hold together tenaciously</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What unique behavior does water exhibit when it freezes?

    <p>It expands and becomes less dense</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the effect of water's high heat of vaporization on living organisms?

    <p>It enables effective cooling mechanisms</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which property of water contributes to temperature regulation in the environment?

    <p>High specific heat</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What term describes substances that readily give up hydrogen ions in water?

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

    What defines the pH level of a solution?

    <p>The concentration of hydrogen ions</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does a buffer function in a solution?

    <p>It accepts or releases hydrogen ions</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What happens to lakes with granite bedrock concerning acid rain?

    <p>They are vulnerable to acidification</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What characteristic of water allows it to dissolve polar and ionic substances?

    <p>Its polarity</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the relationship between acids, bases, and their pH levels?

    <p>Acids have a pH below 7 and bases above</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What role does water play in shaping the land exuded by streams and rivers?

    <p>It transports sediments</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why is water referred to as unique among liquids at ambient temperatures?

    <p>It exists as a liquid over a wide temperature range</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What happens to the energy added during a phase change of a substance?

    <p>It is used to change the phase, not to raise the temperature.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which type of energy is considered low-quality energy?

    <p>Heat stored in oceans that is difficult to capture.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the first law of thermodynamics state?

    <p>Energy is conserved and neither created nor destroyed.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to the second law of thermodynamics, what happens with each energy transformation?

    <p>Less energy is available to do work as it degrades.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the process that allows some ecosystems to survive without sunlight?

    <p>Chemosynthesis.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does energy flow differ from how atoms and molecules cycle in ecosystems?

    <p>Energy flows in a one-way path, while atoms cycle endlessly.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What effect does the energy dissipation have on an organism's ability to maintain its structure?

    <p>It leads to a decrease in usable energy, requiring constant maintenance.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What limits the usability of the vast heat energy stored in the oceans?

    <p>It is diffuse and challenging to harness for productive work.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which type of energy transformation occurs when driving a car?

    <p>Chemical energy of the gas is transformed to kinetic energy and heat.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following organisms is known for withstanding extreme temperatures?

    <p>Pyrolobus fumarii.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What role do black chimneys play in deep-sea ecosystems?

    <p>They emit hot, mineral-rich water that supports life.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main energy source for nearly all ecosystems?

    <p>Solar energy from the sun.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which statement accurately describes thermodynamics?

    <p>It deals with energy flow and transformations quantitatively.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which feature is characteristic of extremophiles found in harsh environments?

    <p>They are often archaea capable of surviving extreme conditions.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is one potential consequence of increased phosphorus in aquatic ecosystems?

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

    How is phosphorus primarily moved through the environment?

    <p>Leaching from rocks and minerals</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why is phosphorus considered essential for agriculture?

    <p>It is a key component of DNA and RNA</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a concern regarding global phosphorus supplies?

    <p>It may deplete sooner than expected</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What ultimately happens to phosphorus in the ocean over geological time?

    <p>It accumulates in ocean sediments</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary energy source for nearly all life on Earth?

    <p>Solar energy</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What molecule is primarily responsible for absorbing light energy during photosynthesis?

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

    Which of the following processes consumes oxygen and releases energy?

    <p>Cellular respiration</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the net chemical reaction for cellular respiration?

    <p>C6H12O6 + 6O2 -&gt; 6H2O + 6CO2 + released energy</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In what part of the plant cell does photosynthesis primarily occur?

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

    Which wavelengths of light do photosynthetic organisms primarily use?

    <p>Red and blue</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a primary product of photosynthesis?

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

    How much of the incident sunlight is usually captured by photosynthesis?

    <p>1 to 2 percent</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What happens to the hydrogen produced in the light-dependent reactions of photosynthesis?

    <p>It is used to form ATP and NADPH</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary role of glucose in plants?

    <p>To serve as fuel for cellular processes</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT a result of cellular respiration?

    <p>Sugar molecules are produced</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does the Earth’s atmosphere interact with solar radiation?

    <p>It allows visible and near-infrared wavelengths to pass through</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What percentage of radiation at the Earth's surface is ultraviolet light?

    <p>About 10 percent</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What do methane-using bacteria produce that is beneficial to more complex organisms?

    <p>Hydrogen sulfide</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary type of productivity associated with photosynthesis in an ecosystem?

    <p>Primary productivity</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why do ecosystems tend to remain stable and resilient to change?

    <p>As a result of feedback mechanisms</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which organisms are primarily responsible for decomposing organic materials in an ecosystem?

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

    Which statement accurately describes the energy transfer between trophic levels?

    <p>Approximately one-tenth of energy is passed to the next higher level</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What distinguishes a primary consumer in a food chain?

    <p>They eat producers directly</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In a typical food chain, which of the following organisms would occupy the producer level?

    <p>Corn plant</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How do herbivores, carnivores, and omnivores differ in their diet?

    <p>Herbivores are only plant eaters</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What role do scavengers play in an ecosystem?

    <p>They recycle nutrients by consuming dead material</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why might a harsh arctic landscape have shorter food chains compared to other ecosystems?

    <p>Lower species diversity</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following describes the relationship between a rabbit, a fox, and clover in a food chain?

    <p>Clover → Rabbit → Fox</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the significance of detritivores in an ecosystem?

    <p>They enhance nutrient cycling by consuming detritus</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How do trophic levels generally appear when arranged according to biomass?

    <p>They create a pyramid shape with a broad base of producers</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which type of feeding behavior is characteristic of omnivores?

    <p>Consuming both plant and animal matter</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is net primary productivity (NPP)?

    <p>The difference between plant photosynthesis and respiration rates.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which component is NOT part of an ecosystem's physical environment?

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

    What primarily influences the rates of NPP in an ecosystem?

    <p>Temperature and water availability</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In what way do animals contribute to the cycle of photosynthesis and respiration?

    <p>By breaking down organic molecules and releasing carbon dioxide</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How are ecosystems typically described in terms of NPP?

    <p>In terms of high or low productivity levels</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following best describes the term 'species' in biology?

    <p>Organisms that are genetically similar enough to breed and produce fertile offspring</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the role of abiotic factors in an ecosystem?

    <p>They are nonliving components that can influence biological processes.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What defines the boundaries of an ecosystem?

    <p>They can vary based on the purpose of study or natural interactions.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What characteristic of ecosystems relates to the second law of thermodynamics?

    <p>Ecosystems must have a constant inflow of energy.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What distinguishes a population from a community in ecological terms?

    <p>A population is made up of a single species in a defined area.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of these processes is essential for the functioning of ecosystems?

    <p>The continuous flow of energy and matter.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How do the boundaries of ecosystems relate to the flow of materials?

    <p>Materials can move freely between ecosystems, influencing interactions.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What role do microorganisms play in the human microbiome?

    <p>They assist in digestion and provide essential nutrients.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which type of ecosystem is likely to have the highest net primary productivity?

    <p>Tropical rainforests</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary role of nitrogen-fixing bacteria in ecosystems?

    <p>They convert nitrogen gas into a usable form for plants.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which process is primarily responsible for the release of carbon dioxide from organic materials?

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

    What effect does low phosphorus availability have on plant growth?

    <p>It limits plant growth.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which statement accurately describes denitrification?

    <p>It converts nitrates back into nitrogen gas.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why are expansive forested areas considered important carbon sinks?

    <p>They absorb heat and carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What role do decomposers play in the nitrogen cycle?

    <p>They release ammonia and ammonium ions during decomposition.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does excessive nitrogen fertilization affect aquatic ecosystems?

    <p>It encourages the spread of weeds and leads to eutrophication.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is one consequence of humans capturing atmospheric nitrogen?

    <p>It increases the overall nitrogen in the environment.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why is phosphorus considered a limiting nutrient in many ecosystems?

    <p>It has no gaseous form that can easily dissolve in water.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which nitrogen compound can plants use directly for growth?

    <p>Ammonium (NH4+)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the outcome of cellular respiration in terms of carbon dioxide?

    <p>It produces CO2 as a waste product.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following activities contributes significantly to carbon dioxide emissions?

    <p>Deforestation and combustion of fossil fuels.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What compounds primarily drive many portions of the nitrogen cycle?

    <p>Ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a significant environmental problem associated with phosphorus runoff?

    <p>It reduces light penetration in water bodies.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What might cause an inverted biomass pyramid in an ecosystem?

    <p>Seasonal fluctuations in producer populations</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which statement accurately describes the hydrologic cycle?

    <p>The majority of ocean evaporation returns immediately to the sea</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What role does carbon play for living organisms?

    <p>It serves as both a structural component and an energy storage</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a primary outcome of the carbon cycle?

    <p>Regulation of climate through carbon accumulation and release</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What happens to most of the water that evaporates from the oceans?

    <p>It falls back primarily on the ocean as rain</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does one large tree contribute to the numbers pyramid in an ecosystem?

    <p>By housing thousands of insects or caterpillars</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary factor that maintains suitable conditions for life on Earth?

    <p>Constant recycling of materials between biotic and abiotic components</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Where is most of the Earth's water stored?

    <p>In the oceans</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a significant impact of using fossil fuels on the carbon cycle?

    <p>It releases carbon that was stored for millions of years</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How is carbon from biological materials eventually recycled back into the environment?

    <p>Via volcanic eruption and sediment recycling</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which factor leads to higher evaporation rates in the tropics compared to higher latitudes?

    <p>Higher temperatures and solar energy availability</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the estimated number of times each carbon atom on Earth has cycled through the carbon cycle in 4 billion years?

    <p>About 30 times</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What percentage of continental precipitation originates from ocean evaporation?

    <p>90 percent</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT a component of the material cycle?

    <p>Atmospheric drift</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Matter and Energy in Ecosystems

    • Matter is anything with mass and occupies space, existing in solid, liquid, gas, and plasma forms.
    • The principle of conservation of matter states that matter is neither created nor destroyed; it is recycled.
    • Matter cycles through ecosystems.
    • Elements are basic substances that can't be broken down.
    • Fundamental elements like carbon, oxygen, hydrogen, and nitrogen make up most living organisms.
    • Atoms are the smallest units of elements.
    • Atoms are composed of protons (positive), electrons (negative), and neutrons (neutral).
    • Isotopes are forms of the same element with varying neutron numbers. Radioactive isotopes are unstable.
    • Atoms combine to form molecules and compounds.
    • Compounds can form ionic bonds (atoms lose/gain electrons) or covalent bonds (atoms share electrons).
    • Water molecules are polar, leading to cohesive and adhesive properties.
    • Oxidation is the loss of electrons, reduction is the gain of electrons.
    • Chemical reactions either release or require energy to form or break bonds.

    Energy and Its Forms

    • Energy is the ability to do work.
    • Kinetic energy is energy of motion.
    • Potential energy is stored energy.
    • Chemical energy is stored in chemical bonds.
    • Heat is energy transferred between objects due to temperature differences.
    • High-quality energy is intense, concentrated, and useful for work. Low-quality energy is dispersed and hard to use.
    • Energy flows through ecosystems in a one-way path.

    Thermodynamics

    • The first law of thermodynamics states that energy is conserved.
    • The second law of thermodynamics states that each energy transfer or transformation results in less usable energy.
    • Entropy (disorder) tends to increase.
    • Organisms require a constant energy input to maintain organization.

    Photosynthesis

    • Most ecosystems depend on solar energy captured via photosynthesis.
    • Photosynthesis converts light energy to chemical energy in the bonds of organic molecules.
    • Chlorophyll captures light energy and carries out these reactions.
    • Two process are light-dependent and light-independent (dark) reactions.
    • Photosynthesis produces oxygen and sugars from water and carbon dioxide.
    • Plants use visible and near infrared light. The process captures 1-2% of light energy.

    Cellular Respiration

    • Cellular respiration breaks down organic molecules to release energy.
    • This is the reverse of photosynthesis.
    • Energy is released from the bonds of sugar molecules when they react with oxygen.

    Trophic Levels and Food Chains

    • Trophic levels represent an organism's feeding status in an ecosystem.
    • Producers create their own food. Primary consumers eat producers. Consumers of primary consumers are secondary consumers, etc.
    • Food chains are interconnected to form food webs.
    • Herbivores eat plants, carnivores eat animals, omnivores eat both.
    • Decomposers (bacteria, fungi) recycle dead organisms.

    Ecosystems

    • Ecosystems are composed of a biological community and its abiotic environment.
    • Ecosystems boundaries are often defined for specific purposes.
    • Many ecosystems have feedback mechanisms that maintain relative stability.
    • Most ecosystems rely on photosynthesis.
    • Productivity describes the amount of biomass produced in an ecosystem.
    • The paths of matter and energy in ecosystems are important for understanding their functioning (e.g. carbon, water, nitrogen, and phosphorus cycles).

    Water Cycle

    • The water cycle is a major material cycle.
    • Water moves between the atmosphere, land, and organisms through processes such as evaporation, precipitation, and transpiration.

    Carbon Cycle

    • The carbon cycle includes the exchange of carbon between the atmosphere, organisms, and Earth's reservoirs.
    • Photosynthesis removes atmospheric CO2, while respiration and combustion release it.
    • CO2 is a greenhouse gas affecting the Earth's temperature.

    Nitrogen Cycle

    • Nitrogen is vital for life, often a limiting factor.
    • Nitrogen enters ecosystems in fixed forms: nitrates and ammonium.
    • Nitrogen-fixing bacteria play a role, as do denitrifying bacteria.
    • Excess nitrogen can destabilize ecosystems, causing issues like eutrophication.

    Phosphorus Cycle

    • Phosphorus is critical for energy transfer and cell function.
    • The phosphorus cycle is primarily a one-way path, as phosphorus has no atmospheric component.
    • Phosphorus cycles through the food web but ultimately settles in ocean sediments.
    • Excess phosphorus from fertilizers and detergents can cause eutrophication.

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