Understanding the Biosphere and Ecosystems

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Questions and Answers

Which statement accurately describes the biosphere?

It consists only of the hydrosphere.

It is exclusively composed of the lithosphere.

It includes sections of the earth that support life. (correct)

It is the area 500 km above the earth.

What percentage of the Earth's water is fresh water?

3% (correct)

10%

50%

25%

Which of the following is considered an abiotic factor of an ecosystem?

Fish

Sunlight (correct)

Fungi

Trees

What is the Gaia hypothesis about the earth?

It proposes that the earth acts like a cell to maintain homeostasis. Signup and view all the answers

Which component is NOT a part of the atmosphere?

Salt water Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of the sun's energy is converted into thermal energy?

70% Signup and view all the answers

Which type of molecule is essential for energy transfer in living organisms?

ATP Signup and view all the answers

How do producers generate chemical energy?

By converting sugar into ATP directly from the sun's light energy Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary source of energy for all living organisms?

The sun Signup and view all the answers

According to the first law of thermodynamics, what happens to energy?

It can be transformed from one form to another. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main role of chlorophyll in the process of photosynthesis?

To absorb light energy for food production Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes autotrophs?

Organisms that produce their own food using light energy Signup and view all the answers

What is the chemical equation representing photosynthesis?

6CO2 + 6H2O ---> C6H12O6 + 6O2 Signup and view all the answers

Which factors are necessary for producers to create food through photosynthesis?

Light energy, carbon dioxide, and water Signup and view all the answers

Which statement about consumers is true?

They rely on other organisms for their food Signup and view all the answers

What is the outcome of cellular respiration?

Carbon Dioxide and Water are released along with energy Signup and view all the answers

Which statement accurately describes the relationship between photosynthesis and cellular respiration?

Photosynthesis produces CO2, while cellular respiration uses it Signup and view all the answers

What happens to the population of primary consumers if their predators are removed from the ecosystem?

They will overpopulate due to lack of predation Signup and view all the answers

In what way do food webs differ from food chains?

Food webs consist of multiple interconnected paths for energy transfer Signup and view all the answers

What role do producers play in an ecosystem?

They transform low energy compounds into high energy compounds Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the energy arrows in food chains and webs?

They show the direction of energy transfer between organisms Signup and view all the answers

What is a likely consequence of a species being hunted to extinction in an ecosystem?

There will be a permanent disruption in the ecosystem Signup and view all the answers

What is the ultimate source of energy for producers in an ecosystem?

The Sun's light energy Signup and view all the answers

Which statement accurately represents biomass distribution in most aquatic ecosystems?

Carnivores usually have the most biomass. Signup and view all the answers

What does a niche represent in an ecosystem?

The role an organism fulfills based on its interactions. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following defines a species that is facing imminent extinction?

Endangered Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'biodiversity' refer to?

The variability of life in a particular ecosystem. Signup and view all the answers

How is nitrogen made available to plants in the nitrogen cycle?

By nitrogen-fixing bacteria turning nitrogen into NO3. Signup and view all the answers

What does the 'Land To Mouth' graph indicate about food production?

Direct meals from the ground require less land than animal feed production. Signup and view all the answers

Which agency is responsible for preparing action plans for species recovery in Canada?

RENEW Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of ammonification in the nitrogen cycle?

It is the process that transforms animal waste into nitrogen compounds. Signup and view all the answers

What is bioaccumulation?

The process by which animals ingest fat soluble chemicals throughout their lifespan. Signup and view all the answers

How does biomagnification work in an ecosystem?

It increases the chemical concentration as energy moves up trophic levels. Signup and view all the answers

Which chemical is known to cause respiratory failure?

Cyanide Signup and view all the answers

In trophic pyramids, what percentage of energy is typically passed on to the next trophic level?

10% Signup and view all the answers

Where can lead contaminants be commonly found?

In paint, pipes, plumbing materials, and batteries. Signup and view all the answers

What does biomass refer to in an ecosystem?

The total dry mass of organisms multiplied by their numbers. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following chemicals is linked to cancer and serious body system damage?

PCBs Signup and view all the answers

How much energy do producers typically absorb from the sun?

1% Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

The Biosphere

The biosphere encompasses all Earth's regions supporting life, utilizing air (atmosphere), land (lithosphere), and water (hydrosphere).

Lithosphere

The lithosphere is Earth's solid outer layer, primarily composed of crust and mantle.

Hydrosphere

The hydrosphere includes all Earth's water, with 97% being saltwater and a smaller portion (3%) being freshwater, only a fraction of which is accessible.

Atmosphere

The atmosphere extends 500 km above Earth, held in place by gravity. It's primarily nitrogen (78%), oxygen (21%), and trace amounts of other gases, including carbon dioxide.

Biotic Factors

Biotic factors refer to all living organisms and their byproducts.

Abiotic Factors

Abiotic factors represent the non-living components of an ecosystem, such as sunlight, wind, and weather conditions.

Ecosystems

An ecosystem comprises biotic and abiotic factors in a specific area, fostering ecological relationships. Examples include a forest, a province, or a single log.

Gaia Hypothesis

The Gaia hypothesis suggests Earth functions as a self-regulating system, similar to an organism aiming for homeostasis.

Energy Flow: The Sun

The sun is the ultimate energy source, emitting radiant energy in various forms: visible light, ultraviolet (UV), gamma, and infrared.

Energy Transmission from the Sun

Seventy percent of solar energy transforms into thermal energy, warming land and oceans. Thirty percent is reflected back into space.

Types of Energy

Radiant, thermal, light, chemical, electrical, nuclear, kinetic, gravitational energies.

Chemical Energy (ATP)

All living organisms require chemical energy, specifically adenosine triphosphate (ATP). ATP is the cellular energy currency used to facilitate chemical reactions.
The first law of thermodynamics states energy transformations from one form to another are possible but not creation nor destruction.

Converting Energy

Producers convert approximately 0.023% of solar energy into chemical energy. (sugars—> ATP)
Consumers obtain energy by consuming other organisms (sugars, fats, proteins—> ATP)

Terms: Producers and Consumers

Producers (autotrophs): Organisms producing their own food through photosynthesis.
Consumers (heterotrophs): Organisms unable to create their own food; they consume other organisms.

Photosynthesis

Through photosynthesis, organisms convert light energy into chemical energy. This process involves chlorophyll, a green pigment.
The chemical equation for photosynthesis: 6CO2 + 6H2O → C6H12O6 + 6O2 (Carbon Dioxide + Water → Glucose + Oxygen).

Cellular Respiration

Cellular respiration converts high-energy molecules like sugars into ATP, releasing energy and forming carbon dioxide and water.
The chemical equation for cellular respiration: C6H12O6 + 6O2 → 6CO2 + 6H2O + Energy (Glucose + Oxygen → Carbon Dioxide + Water + Energy).

Food Chains vs. Food Webs

Food chains: Linear sequences of energy transfer from one organism to the next up the food chain.
Food webs: Interconnected food chains illustrating more complex energy transfer relationships within an ecosystem.

Trophic Levels

The trophic pyramid illustrates trophic levels; it highlights the hierarchical consumption of organisms from producers to primary, secondary, and tertiary consumers.

Human Impact on Food Chains

Human activities, such as hunting, can impact food chain dynamics, potentially disrupting trophic balances and causing species extinction.

Bioaccumulation and Biomagnification

Bioaccumulation: The gradual buildup of harmful, fat-soluble chemicals, like PCBs, PAHs, and cyanide.
Biomagnification: The increasing concentration of these chemicals as they move up trophic levels in food chains, resulting in harmful effects on apex predators.

Examples of harmful chemicals and where they are found

PCB: Found in soil, water, and air; toxic and carcinogenic.
PAH: In fossil fuels, smoke, and cigarette smoke; harmful to the body.
Cyanide: Occurs during industrial processes such as mining and plastic production; can cause respiratory failure.

Additional Toxic Substances in Pyramids

Mercury: Found in coal combustion and mining; toxic and harmful to the reproductive system.
Lead: In paint and other materials, contaminating the water, especially.

Biomass

Biomass: The total dry mass of all organisms in a given area or trophic level.
Biomass pyramids: May invert in certain ecosystems (aquatic systems) compared to terrestrial ones.

Trophic Pyramids

Trophic pyramids illustrate energy transfer hierarchy in ecosystems.

Niche

A niche describes the role an organism plays in its ecosystem, encompassing factors like interactions with other species, habitat preferences, and food sources.

Biodiversity and Extinction Levels

Biodiversity: The variety of life in an ecosystem; endangered species are those at risk of extinction.
Biological diversity: Different types of species in an area.
Extinction: Species no longer exist on Earth.
Extirpation: Species no longer exist in a specific region.

Carrying Capacity

Carrying capacity: The maximum population size of a species a given ecosystem can support.
Factors affecting carrying capacity: Food, water, space, and disease affect the carrying capacity of an area or population.
Population size factors above carrying capacity disrupt natural processes that can cause an imbalance to the specific ecosystem.
Environmental factors like weather, predators, and food affect carrying capacity.

Populations and Carrying Capacity

Population growth exceeding carrying capacity leads to potential disruption of resources and ecosystem imbalance.

Ecological Interactions

Competition: Contention between species for limited resources.
Predation: One species preying on another, affecting population control.
Cooperation: Collaboration among species benefiting both or multiple.
Mutualism: Interaction between species where both species gain.
Parasitism: Interaction between species where one benefits and the other is harmed.
Commensalism: One species benefits, while the other is unaffected.

Different Cycles: Water, Nitrogen, and Carbon

Key elements in maintaining ecosystem balance, discussed above.
The movement of these elements through the biosphere is an important consideration for ecological understanding.

Invasive Species

A species that is not native to a region and has been introduced and has negative impacts on native species.

Invasive Species Examples (Zebra Mussels and Purple Loosestrife)

These invasive species drastically change the balance in ecosystems.

Limiting Factors

Factors controlling population size; biotic (species interaction) or abiotic (nonliving resources).
Limiting factors affect population growth in ecosystems.

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Description

This quiz explores the various components of the biosphere, including the lithosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere. It delves into the interplay between biotic and abiotic factors within ecosystems, highlighting the importance of these interactions in sustaining life on Earth.