Chapter 1: Energy Transfer In The Biosphere

Question 1

Biotic Components

Answer 1

The biological or living components of the biosphere.

Question 2

Abiotic Components

Answer 2

The non-living components of the biosphere.

Question 3

Cellular Respiration

Answer 3

The process by which cells break down carbohydrates into carbon dioxide and water, releasing energy.

Question 4

Photosynthesis

Answer 4

The process by which green plants and some other organisms use solar energy, carbon dioxide, and water to produce carbohydrates.

Question 5

Albedo

Answer 5

Percentage of incoming solar radiation reflected by a surface.

Question 6

Chemosynthesis

Answer 6

The process by which certain fungi and bacteria use the energy from chemical nutrients to chemically convert carbon (inorganic) into carbohydrates (organic) in the absence of light.

Question 7

Primary Consumer

Answer 7

In a food chain or food web, an organism that relies directly on autotrophs for its source of energy; organisms at the second trophic level.

Question 8

Secondary Consumer

Answer 8

In a food chain or food web, an organism that relies on primary consumers for its principal source of energy; organisms at the third trophic level.

Question 9

Tertiary Consumer

Answer 9

Organism that eats secondary consumers.

Question 10

Consumer

Answer 10

A heterotroph; An organism that must eat producers or other consumers to survive.

Question 10

Decomposers

Answer 10

Organism, usually bacterium, fungus, earthworm, or insect, that obtains energy by consuming dead plant and animal matter or waste.

Question 11

Ecology

Answer 11

The study of relationships between living things and their non-living surroundings (the environment).

Question 12

Biosphere

Answer 12

All of the areas on Earth that are inhabited by and support life. This includes the Atmosphere, Geosphere, and Hydrosphere.

Question 13

Atmosphere

Answer 13

The gaseous part of Earth, concentrated mainly within 10 km of Earth’s surface, but also extending hundreds of kilometers higher.

Question 14

Geosphere

Answer 14

The solid, mainly rocky part of Earth (also called the lithosphere).

Question 15

Hydrosphere

Answer 15

All of the water (solid as well as liquid) that exists and moves through the geosphere.

Question 16

Photosynthesis Equation

Answer 16

Carbon Dioxide + Water + Light Energy = Carbohydrates (Sugars and Starches) + Oxygen

Question 17

Cellular Respiration Equation

Answer 17

Carbohydrates (Sugars and Starches) + Oxygen = Carbon Dioxide + Water + Energy

Question 18

Producer

Answer 18

An autotroph; an organism that makes its own food from light or chemical energy.

Question 19

Trophic Level

Answer 19

A feeding level through which energy and matter are transferred; indicates an organism’s position in the food chain.

Question 20

Food Chain

Answer 20

Model showing the linear pathway through which food (energy) is transferred from producers to primary consumers and to higher trophic levels.

Question 21

Food Web

Answer 21

A model of food (energy) transfer in an ecosystem that shows the connections among food chains.

Question 22

Pyramid of Numbers

Answer 22

A representation of the relative numbers of organisms at each trophic level.

Question 23

Biomass

Answer 23

The total dry mass of all the living material in an ecosystem.

Question 24

Pyramid of Biomass

Answer 24

A representation of the relative amount of biomass at each trophic level.

Question 25

Pyramid of Energy

Answer 25

A representation of the relative amount of energy at each trophic level.