4.2 Energy flow Flashcards
What do almost all ecosystems rely on for a supply of energy?
Almost all ecosystems rely on a supply of energy from sunlight.
How is light energy converted into chemical energy in ecosystems?
Light energy is converted into chemical energy in carbon compounds by photosynthesis.
What is the role of chemical energy in carbon compounds in food chains?
Chemical energy in carbon compounds flows through food chains by means of feeding.
How is energy released from carbon compounds by respiration used in living organisms?
Energy released from carbon compounds by respiration is used in living organisms for cellular processes and is converted to heat.
Can living organisms convert heat to other forms of energy?
No, living organisms cannot convert heat to other forms of energy.
How is heat lost from ecosystems?
Heat is lost from ecosystems through respiration and other processes, where it is released into the surroundings.
Why do energy losses between trophic levels restrict the length of food chains and the biomass of higher trophic levels?
Energy losses between trophic levels, mostly as heat, restrict the length of food chains and the biomass of higher trophic levels because only a fraction (about 10%-20%) of energy is transferred between successive trophic levels.
How are quantitative representations of energy flow depicted?
Quantitative representations of energy flow are depicted using pyramids of energy.
What is the significance of different models used to represent organisms in an ecosystem?
Different models, such as food chains, food webs, and pyramids of energy, help in understanding the interconnections, energy flow, and biomass distribution among organisms in an ecosystem.
What is the purpose of using pyramids of energy to represent energy flow in ecosystems?
Pyramids of energy are used to quantitatively represent the flow of energy through an ecosystem, showcasing how energy diminishes at higher trophic levels due to losses, primarily as heat.
Why are different models, like food chains and food webs, important in ecological studies?
Different models, such as food chains and food webs, are crucial in ecological studies because they illustrate the complexity of ecosystem interactions, including the flow of energy and the interdependence of organisms.
How does the efficiency of energy transfer between trophic levels affect ecosystem structure?
The efficiency of energy transfer between trophic levels, which is typically around 10%-20%, affects ecosystem structure by limiting the number of trophic levels and the biomass of organisms at higher levels due to energy losses.
Why can ecosystems not support infinite trophic levels?
Ecosystems cannot support infinite trophic levels because of the significant energy loss at each step, mainly as heat, which reduces the amount of energy available to higher levels, making the ecosystem unable to support large numbers of high-level consumers.
What illustrates the concept that only a small fraction of the energy is transferred from one trophic level to the next?
The concept that only a small fraction of the energy is transferred from one trophic level to the next is illustrated by the fact that about 90% of the energy is lost, primarily as heat, at each step, supporting the development of energy pyramids.
What role do detritivores and decomposers play in energy flow within ecosystems?
Detritivores and decomposers play a crucial role in energy flow within ecosystems by breaking down dead organisms and waste, recycling nutrients, and converting some of the remaining energy into forms usable by other organisms.
