1.7b Ecological relationships and energy flow Flashcards
What type of organism is a fungus
A saprophyte
What is a saprophyte
An organism eg fungi or bacteria that decompose dead material
Fungi use extracellular digestion. what does this mean?
They secrete enzymes from the cells, break down the dead material and absorb the smaller molecules
What is the name of the mineral rich substance produced by decomposers
Humus
What 3 conditions are needed for decomposition
Water
Oxygen
Warmth
In the Carbon cycle what process will remove Carbon dioxide from the atmosphere
Photosynthesis in plants
In the Carbon Cycle what do plants produce with the carbon dioxide absorbed by them
Carbohydrates e.g. starch and cellulose,
proteins
fats
How do plants put carbon dioxide back into the atmosphere
Respiration
Plants are eaten by animals and the carbon is passed onto the animals. WHat form of Carbon is found in animals
Glycogen
Fat
Protein
Plants and animals die. They are broken down by organisms - what are they called
Decomposers - include saprophytic microorganisms eg fungi, bacteria
Animals and decomposers all use carbon compounds for energy . WHat process do they all do
Respiration
If dead animals and plants do not decay what happens to them
Fossilisation
How do fossil fuels contribute carbon to the atmosphere
When burnt (combustion) they releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere
In the nitrogen cycle what are the bacteria called that convert nitrogen in the air to nitrates
Nitrogen fixing bacteria
The nitrates formed are used by plants to make what
Proteins
Dead plants and animals are broken down by decomposers. WHat are the N substances converted to by the decomposers
Ammonia
Ammonia is not able to be used by plants but must be converted to nitrates - what is the name of the process that is involved in this process and what is the process called
Nitifying bacteria
process called Nitrification
If soil becomes waterlogged why is this a problem
There is no oxygen available for the aerobic bacteria eg decomposers and nitrifying bacteria
What happens to nitrates in water logged soil
It is broken down to Nitrogen by Denitrifying bacteria in a process called denitification.
What is Magnesium needed for in plants
To make chlorophyll
What is calcium needed for in plants
To produce cell walls
What is nitrogen needed for in plants
To make nitrates to produce proteins
Minerals are taken up from the soil by plants - how is the root hair cell adapted
It has a large surface area for absoption
Minerals are taken up by Active Uptake (active transport)
What is this
Uses energy from respiration to move minerals from a low concentration (in soil) to an area of high concentration (inside the root)
