Photosynthesis Flashcards 1.8-1.11

Study Notes

Key Concepts in Photosynthesis and Ecosystem Dynamics

Primary Productivity: Refers to the rate at which solar energy is converted into organic compounds through photosynthesis over a designated time period.
Gross Primary Productivity (GPP): The total rate of photosynthesis in a specific area, representing the conversion of solar energy into biomass by producers.
Net Primary Productivity (NPP): Calculated as NPP = GPP - R, where R is the energy lost due to respiration. It indicates the rate of energy storage by photosynthetic organisms in a given area.
Ecological Efficiency: Represents the percentage of energy transferred from one trophic level to another within a food chain or web, crucial for understanding energy flow in ecosystems.

Ecosystem Interactions

Food Web: A complex network of interactions formed by feeding relationships among various organisms in an ecosystem, providing resilience to ecological changes.
Scavengers: Animals that feed on the remains of dead organisms, playing a key role in nutrient cycling and energy transfer.
Omnivores: Organisms that eat both plants and animals (secondary consumers), contributing to various trophic levels in food chains.
Carnivores: Organisms that primarily consume other animals (secondary consumers), utilizing energy gained from their prey.
Herbivores: Primary consumers that exclusively feed on plants, serving as a critical link in energy transfer from producers to higher trophic levels.

Organism Roles in Ecosystems

Detrivores: Feed on dead plant and animal matter (e.g., earthworms, beetles), facilitating decomposition and nutrient recycling.
Decomposers: Organisms, often bacteria and fungi, that break down wastes and dead organisms, crucial for returning nutrients to the ecosystem.
Plankton: Tiny organisms that float in aquatic environments, forming the base of the marine food web and vital for sustaining life in oceans.

Energy and Environment

Solar Energy Capture: Only about 0.023% of solar energy is harnessed by green plants and bacteria, highlighting the inefficiency of energy conversion.
Natural Sources of Greenhouse Gases: Include processes such as decomposition, volcanic activity, combustion, and respiration, emphasizing the natural contributions to atmospheric changes.
Primary Productivity Distribution: NPP is predominantly found in oceans globally while being most concentrated per unit area in estuaries, indicating areas of high ecological productivity.

Description

Explore key terms related to photosynthesis with these flashcards. Learn about primary productivity, gross primary productivity, and net primary productivity. Enhance your understanding of how solar energy is converted into organic compounds.