4.2 Energy flows Flashcards

You may prefer our related Brainscape-certified flashcards:
1
Q

What is teh initial source of energy in the majority of ecosystems?

A

Sunlight - light E is absorbed and converted into chemical E via photosythesis

Other ecossytems rly on chemoautotrophs whihc produce E from oxidation fo inorganic substances

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What is a trophic level? What trophic levels exist?

A

TROPHIC LEVEL: the position of an organism in the food chain

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Give an examples of a terrestrial and marine food chains

A

TERRESTRIAL: flower -> grasshopper -> mousee -> snake -> eagle

MARINE: phytoplankton -> shrimps -> cod -> seal -> killer whale

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

How many percent of energy are transerred to the next trophic level? Why only that?

A

10%

  • E used for metabolism, growth, homeostasis, movement
  • chemical by-product heat is lost
  • lost in excretion
  • not all tissues are consumed: ex bones, fur (decomposers can use)
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Why do higher trophic levels need more food?

A
  • because the E and biomass are lost through trophic levels - least amount consumed by highest trophic level (number of trophic levels is limited)
  • larger organisms

Explains why lower trophic levels produce more offspring and higher less - environment is in balanced due to consumption

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

How to draw a pyramid of energy?

A

Graphical representation of E passed to each trophic level in a food chain

UNITS: kJ m–2 year–1

Each level 90% smaller (10% E passed)

When a pyramid is drawn - must fit into all of the given area

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What is a food web?

A

FOOD WEB: diagram which represents how several food chains are related

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly