Ch13: energy and ecosystems vocab

Question 1

biomass

Answer 1

total mass of living materials in a specific area at a given time

Question 2

calorimetry

Answer 2

weighed sample is burnt in pure oxygen, energy used to heat a known volume of water

Question 3

producers

Answer 3

photosynthetic organisms which make their own food

Question 4

consumers

Answer 4

organisms that obtain their energy by feeding on other organisms

Question 5

saprobionts/decomposers

Answer 5

microorganisms which secrete enzymes to absorb useful products eg bacteria and fungi

Question 6

detritivores

Answer 6

small insects which feed on dead remains/material eg woodlce

Question 7

food webs

Answer 7

many food chains linked together

Question 8

GPP

Answer 8

gross primary production- chemical energy stored in a given volume in a given time

Question 9

NPP

Answer 9

net primary production- chemical energy stored in a given volume in a given time AFTER respiration losses

Question 10

percentage efficiency equation

Answer 10

energy available after transfer/energy available before transfer x100%