Chapter 1: Energy Transfer In The Biosphere Flashcards
Biotic Components
The biological or living components of the biosphere.
Abiotic Components
The non-living components of the biosphere.
Cellular Respiration
The process by which cells break down carbohydrates into carbon dioxide and water, releasing energy.
Photosynthesis
The process by which green plants and some other organisms use solar energy, carbon dioxide, and water to produce carbohydrates.
Albedo
Percentage of incoming solar radiation reflected by a surface.
Chemosynthesis
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.
Primary Consumer
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.
Secondary Consumer
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.
Tertiary Consumer
Organism that eats secondary consumers.
Consumer
A heterotroph; An organism that must eat producers or other consumers to survive.
Decomposers
Organism, usually bacterium, fungus, earthworm, or insect, that obtains energy by consuming dead plant and animal matter or waste.
Ecology
The study of relationships between living things and their non-living surroundings (the environment).
Biosphere
All of the areas on Earth that are inhabited by and support life. This includes the Atmosphere, Geosphere, and Hydrosphere.
Atmosphere
The gaseous part of Earth, concentrated mainly within 10 km of Earth’s surface, but also extending hundreds of kilometers higher.
Geosphere
The solid, mainly rocky part of Earth (also called the lithosphere).
Hydrosphere
All of the water (solid as well as liquid) that exists and moves through the geosphere.
Photosynthesis Equation
Carbon Dioxide + Water + Light Energy = Carbohydrates (Sugars and Starches) + Oxygen
Cellular Respiration Equation
Carbohydrates (Sugars and Starches) + Oxygen = Carbon Dioxide + Water + Energy
Producer
An autotroph; an organism that makes its own food from light or chemical energy.
Trophic Level
A feeding level through which energy and matter are transferred; indicates an organism’s position in the food chain.
Food Chain
Model showing the linear pathway through which food (energy) is transferred from producers to primary consumers and to higher trophic levels.
Food Web
A model of food (energy) transfer in an ecosystem that shows the connections among food chains.
Pyramid of Numbers
A representation of the relative numbers of organisms at each trophic level.
Biomass
The total dry mass of all the living material in an ecosystem.
Pyramid of Biomass
A representation of the relative amount of biomass at each trophic level.
Pyramid of Energy
A representation of the relative amount of energy at each trophic level.
