B21 Energy flow in ecosystems Flashcards

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1
Q

the principal source of energy input to biological systems

A

the sun

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2
Q

food chain

A

a chart showing the flow of energy from one organism to the next beginning with a producer

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3
Q

food web

A

a network of interconnected food chains showing the energy flow through part of an ecosystem

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4
Q

producer

A

an organism that makes its own organic nutrients, usually using energy from sunlight, through photosynthesis

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5
Q

consumer

A

organism that gets its energy by feeding on other organisms

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6
Q

herbivore

A

an animal that gets its energy by eating plants

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7
Q

carnivore

A

an animal that gets its energy y eating other animals

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8
Q

decomposer

A

an organism that gets its energy from dead or waste organic matter. they excrete enzymes onto the material and consume it. They help assist in decay

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9
Q

ecosystem

A

a unit containing all of the organisms and their environment interacting together, in a given area

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10
Q

trophic level

A

the position of an organism in a food chain or food web

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11
Q

why is not all energy passed on from one trophic level to the next?

A

1) not all material can be digested by the consumer/ not all is consumed
2) part of the biomass is used in respiration, movement etc
3) much energy is lost as heat

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12
Q

examples of decomposers

A

bacteria, fungi

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13
Q

detrivores

A

they digest dead/ waste matter internally and assist in decay by breaking it up into smaller pieces/ increasing surface area

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14
Q

Detrivore examples

A

worms, beetles, termites

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15
Q

conditions for fast decomposition and nutrient cycling

A

1) moist environment
2) oxygen
3) warmth

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16
Q

Carbon cycle

A

the constant recycling of carbon between living things and the environment

1) CO2 removed from air by plants in photosynthesis- used to make carbohydrates, proteins, fats
2) plants eaten by animals
3) plants and animals respire to release CO2 back into air
4) plants and animals die and bodies decomposed. decomposers respire to release CO2.

^humans combust fossil fuels to release CO2- affecting carbon cycle

17
Q

Carbon sink

A

a forest, ocean or natural environment that can absorb CO2 from the atmosphere

18
Q

greenhouse effect

A

when energy from the sun passes through the atmosphere and is reflected back to the earth. Due to the greenhouse gases, some energy is absorbed and re-emitted, warming the Earth’s atmosphere

19
Q

Human activities that increase greenhouse gases

A

1) deforestation- removing carbon sinks
2) combustion of fossil fuels- releases CO2
3) increasing agriculture- releases methane