4.2 Energy Flow Flashcards
Ecosystems need…
Constant energy supply
Where do ecosystems get their energy supply from?
The sun
Define Photoautotrophic
Autotrophs that use sunlight as an energy source
Examples of photoautotrophs
Cycno Bacteria, Eukaryotic Algae, All green plants
What is the importance of sunlight to ecosystems?
Provides constant supply of energy to ecosystem
What is the importance of sunlight to communities
The initial source of energy to most communities
What is the role of photosynthesis in ecosystems
Light energy is absorbed by autotrophs and converted to chemical energy.
Converts inorganic sources(CO2) to organic compounds(sugars)
Where do heterotrophs derive chemical energy from?
ATP is derived from the ingestion of organic compounds
What is ATP used for?
To fuel metabolic processes
How is ATP produced?
Cell respiration breaks down organic compounds to produce ATP
Where is energy stored?
Chemical energy is stored in carbon compounds (organic molecules)
Define trophies levels
The position organisms occupy within a feeding sequence
What limits the length of food chains in an ecosystem?
The loss of energy between trophies levels
Purpose of food chain
Shows the linear feeding relationship between species in a community
Why are animals in the highest trophies levels large in body size but small in numbers?
Energy losses through the food chain
