Matter and Energy in Ecosystems Study Guide PDF

Matter and Energy in Ecosystems Study Guide Vocabulary: Assimilation- the process in which living organisms integrate the nutrients from various external resources into their body Atmosphere- The atmosphere is a layer of gas and suspended solids extending f...

Matter and Energy in Ecosystems Study Guide Vocabulary: Assimilation- the process in which living organisms integrate the nutrients from various external resources into their body Atmosphere- The atmosphere is a layer of gas and suspended solids extending from the Earth's surface up many thousands of miles, becoming increasingly thinner with distance but always held by the Earth's gravitational pull. Bacteria - Bacteria are microscopic living organisms that have only one cell. Most bacteria aren't harmful, but certain types can make you sick. biogeochemical cycle - any of the natural pathways by which essential elements of living matter are circulated. Biosphere- the region on, above, and below the Earth's surface where life exists Carbon - a nonmetallic element found more or less pure in nature (as in diamond and graphite) or as a part of coal and petroleum and of the bodies of living things or obtained artificially carbon cycle - the process in which carbon atoms continually travel from the atmosphere to the Earth and then back into the atmosphere cellular respiration - A chemical process in which oxygen is used to make energy from carbohydrates (sugars). closed system - one that cannot transfer energy to its surroundings Condensation - the process through which the physical state of matter changes from the gaseous phase into the liquid phase. Decomposition - The separation of a substance into simpler substances or basic elements. Evaporation - the process that changes liquid water to gaseous water (water vapor) Fixation - cessation of normal life functions in the tissue (killing) and stabilization of the structure of the tissue (preservation). fossil fuels- compound mixtures made of fossilized plant and animal remnants Geosphere - includes the rocks and minerals on Earth Hydrogen - a clean fuel that, when consumed in a fuel cell, produces only water hydrologic cycle - involves the continuous circulation of water in the Earth-Atmosphere system Hydrosphere - the total amount of water on a planet Nitrate - a compound of nitrogen and oxygen naturally found in air, soil, water, and some food Nitrogen - nonmetallic element of Group 15 [Va] of the periodic table. nitrogen cycle - the biogeochemical cycle by which nitrogen is converted into multiple chemical forms as it circulates among atmospheric, terrestrial, and marine ecosystems Phosphorus - the biogeochemical cycle that describes the transformation and translocation of phosphorus in soil, water, and living and dead organic material phosphorus cycle - the biogeochemical cycle that describes the transformation and translocation of phosphorus in soil, water, and living and dead organic material Precipitation- any liquid or frozen water that forms in the atmosphere and falls back to the earth. Scavenger - an organism that mostly consumes decaying biomass, such as meat or rotting plant material Sulfur - nonmetallic chemical element belonging to the oxygen group (Group 16 [VIa] of the periodic table), one of the most reactive of the elements. Pure sulfur is a tasteless, odourless, brittle solid that is pale yellow in colour, a poor conductor of electricity, and insoluble in water sulfur cycle - the movement of sulfur through the atmosphere, mineral forms, and through living things Transpiration - the process of water movement through a plant and its evaporation from aerial parts, such as leaves, stems and flowers water cycle - the continuous movement of water within the Earth and atmosphere Weathering - the breaking down or dissolving of rocks and minerals on the surface of Earth Perform basic processes: 1. Relate the concept of the conservation of matter to the cycling of matter on the Earth. As energy moves through an ecosystem, it changes form, but no new energy is created. Similarly, as matter cycles within an ecosystem, atoms are rearranged into various molecules, but no new matter is created. So, during all ecosystem processes, energy and matter are conserved. 2. Explain why the Earth is a closed system in terms of water, nutrients, and minerals. Because only a tiny number of atoms reach the Earth from space, our planet is called a closed system. This means the Earth does not gain or lose carbon. But carbon does move constantly. Most carbon on Earth is stored in rocks and sediments. 3. Model how energy from the sun flows into, is used, and flows out of an ecosystem. Energy enters plants from the sun during food production through photosynthesis. This energy is then passed on from one organism to another in a food chain. The energy given out by organisms as heat is lost in the environment and does not return to be used by plants again. 4. List the major biogeochemical cycles including if they are biotic/abiotic Hydrologic Carbon Nitrogen Oxygen Phosphorus sulfur 5. Explain how carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen, phosphorus, and sulfur are necessary to sustain life. Hydrogen, nitrogen, and oxygen are common in living organisms because they bond easily with the carbon and are abundant in nature. Phosphorus is essential for energy transfer, or metabolism. Chemical reactions necessary for life are aided by sulfur, which acts as a catalyst. 6. Describe the atmosphere, biosphere, geosphere, and hydrosphere. the hydrosphere contains all of the water on earth the geosphere contains all solid land on earth the biosphere contains all organisms on earth the atmosphere contains all air on earth. vocabulary: cultural service - the nonmaterial benefits that humans obtain from ecosystems through spiritual enrichment and educational, recreational and aesthetic experiences economic value - the measurement of the benefit derived from a good or service to an individual or organism. ecosystem service - any positive benefit that wildlife or ecosystems provide to people provision service- the material or energy outputs from an ecosystem, including food, forage, fiber, fresh water, and other resources regulating service - benefits obtained through moderation or control of ecosystem processes, including regulation of local climate, air, or soil quality; carbon sequestration; flood, erosion, or disease control; and pollination. support service - services that maintain fundamental ecosystem processes, such as habitat for plants and wildlife, or the maintenance of genetic and biological diversity Perform basic processes: 1. Identify ecosystem services that humans rely on. a. Ecosystems provide many of the basic services that make life possible for people. Plants clean air and filter water, bacteria decompose wastes, bees pollinate flowers, and tree roots hold soil in place to prevent erosion.  2. Describe services provided by ecosystems: support (for example, cycling matter necessary for life). provision (for example, providing food, fuel, and raw materials). regulating (for example, decomposition of dead things, air filtration, flood control). cultural (for example, beauty of nature). 3. Explain how different ecosystem services rely on: biogeochemical cycles. abiotic parts of an ecosystem. biotic parts of an ecosystem. 4. Explain how ecosystem services have an economic value hypothesize about how much it would cost humans to provide the same services provided by ecosystems. 5. Explain what makes an ecosystem healthy or intact. A healthy ecosystem is one that is intact in its physical, chemical, and biological components and their interrelationships, such that it is resilient to withstand change and stressors. 6. Relate the health of an ecosystem to the biodiversity within it. Greater biodiversity in ecosystems, species, and individuals leads to greater stability. For example, species with high genetic diversity and many populations that are adapted to a wide variety of conditions are more likely to be able to weather disturbances, disease, and climate change. 7. Compare how ecosystems with high biodiversity and low biodiversity react to changes within their ecosystems high biodiversity makes ecosystems more resilient against change 8. Explain how matter cycles and energy flows through the living and nonliving parts of an ecosystem Model a biogeochemical cycle and explain how the cycle depends on the movement of matter between biotic and abiotic parts of an ecosystem 9. Explain how interactions between living and nonliving parts of an ecosystem provide specific services that are of value to humans  relate specific ecosystem services that humans rely on to the interaction of biotic and abiotic aspects of an ecosystem, such as how trees provide fiber, filter air, and prevent runoff and erosion 10. Hypothesize what would occur given major changes to biotic or abiotic factors within an ecosystem research the abiotic and biotic parts of an ecosystem involved in specific biogeochemical cycles and ecosystem services, and take a position on what would happen if these factors increased or decreased dramatically