2.3 Flows Of Matter And energy

Question 1

Productivity

Answer 1

Conversion of energy into biomass in a given time

Question 2

Ecological efficiency

Answer 2

Percentage of energy assimilated in one trophic even that is available to the next

Question 3

Sankey diagram

Answer 3

Shows transfer of energy through arrows

Question 4

Width of arrows in sankey diagram

Answer 4

Proportion of the energy (flow amount)

Question 5

Primary productivity

Answer 5

Production of chemical energy by the producers

Question 6

Gross Primary Production (GPP)

Answer 6

Total energy converted by photosynthesis

Question 7

Net Primary Production (NPP)

Answer 7

Proportion of GPP that turns into biomass

Question 8

Secondary productivity

Answer 8

Energy gained by consumers as they feed

Question 9

Gross Secondary Production (GSP)

Answer 9

Total energy gained by consumers as they feed

Question 10

Net Secondary Production (NSP)

Answer 10

Total energy minus respiratory losses

Question 11

Calculation of different productivities

Answer 11

GSP=Food eaten-faecal loss
NSP=GSP-R
NPP=GPP-R
NSP=Food eaten-faecal loss-R

Question 12

Sustainable yield

Answer 12

Natural resource can be harvested at a rate less than or equal to its natural productivity

Question 13

7 Stages of the carbon cycle

Answer 13

Stage 1: Photosynthesis: plants absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere to produce energy and glucose
Stage 2: Consumption: Herbivores and other organisms consume plants, transferring carbon through the food chain
Stage 3: Respiration: Organisms release carbon dioxide during the process of respiration
Stage 4: Decomposition: Decomposers break down organic matter, returning carbon to the soil or water
Stage 5: Combustion: burning of fossil fuels and biomass releases carbon dioxide back into the atmosphere
Stage 6: Absorption: oceans absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, forming carbonic acid
Stage 7: long term storage: carbon can be stored in fossil fuels, soils, and oven sediments for extended periods

Question 14

Stocks in the carbon cycle

Answer 14

Atmosphere, ocean, organisms, soils

Question 15

Flows in the carbon cycle

Answer 15

Consumption, carbon dioxide from the atmosphere dissolving in water

Question 16

Transformation in carbon cycle

Answer 16

Photosynthesis, respiration, combustion, decomposition

Question 17

5 Stages of the nitrogen cycle

Answer 17

Stage 1: Nitrogen Fixation: certain bacteria convert atmospheric nitrogen (N2) into ammonia (NH3) or Nitrate (NO3-)
Stage 2: Nitrification: Ammonia is converted into nitrite (NO2-) and then to nitrate by bacteria, making nitrogen accessible to plants
Stage 3: Plants and animals take up nitrogen compounds to build proteins and other essential molecules
Stage 4: Ammonification: decomposer bacteria brea down organic matter, releasing ammonia back into the soil
Stage 5: Denitrification: certain bacteria convert nitrates back into into atmospheric nitrogen, completing the cycle

Question 18

Human influence on energy flows

Answer 18

Burning fossil fuels, removing storages of carbon and nitrogen, fertilisers to boost productivity