Matter, Energy, and Life (Chapter 3)
137 Questions
17 Views

Choose a study mode

Play Quiz
Study Flashcards
Spaced Repetition
Chat to lesson

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

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.

    Studying That Suits You

    Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

    Quiz Team

    More Like This

    Use Quizgecko on...
    Browser
    Open
    Browser
    Browser