13 energy and ecosystems Flashcards
what is a trophic evel?
the position an organism occurs within anenergy transfer
what are the 3 groups that organisms are divided into in a food chain?
producers
consumers
saprobionts
at what trophic level is a producer?
auto trophic
at what trophic level is a consumer?
heterotrophic
at wha trophic level is a saprobiont?
hetero/saprotrophic
what does autotrophic mean?
that the organisms build up organic compounds from simple molecules
what does heterotrophic mean?
that the organisms rely on an eternal source for organic compounds
what types of consumers are there?
primary
secondary
tertiary
what do all types of consumers eat?
primary eat producers
secondary eat primary
tertiary eat secondary
what are saprobionts?
organisms that break down organic compounds/dead organisms
give an example of a consumer
animal
give an example of a saprobiont
bacteria
fungi
what do arrows in a food chain indicate?
direction of energy transfer
what is a food web?
multiple food chains
what is biomass?
the total mass of organic material in a specific area at a given time
what is organic material?
carbon
how do you calculate energy stored in biomass?
using a bomb calorimeter/calorimetry
how is energy stored in biomass calculated using a bomb calorimeter?
- dry biomass is combusted within a sealed chamber (bomb)
- heat energy released causes temperature change in the water that the bomb is surrounded by
- energy is calculated using the specific heat capacity and the volume an temperature rise of water
why are pyramids of energy pyramid shaped?
because energy is lost at each trophic level
SPACE FOR ENERGY TRANSFER
what are the 4 processes in the nitrogen cycle?
nitrification
denitrification
nitrogen fixation
decomposition/ammonification
what microorganism undergoes nitrification?
nitrifying bacteria
what microorganism undergoes denitrification?
denitrifying bacteria
what microorganism undergoes nitrogen fixation?
nitrogen fixing bacteria
