chapter 12 ecosystems Flashcards
What are the 2 examples of decomposers and what do they do?
fungi and bacteria: they break down complex nutrients in faeces and dead bodies into smaller, simpler and soluble substances like carbon dioxide which escapes into the environment and soluble mineral salts that dissolves in the water
What are 2 examples of scavengers and what do they do?
earthworms and termites: they feed on decaying matter, helping to break them down into smaller pieces and in turn help decomposers to break down these dead organism into simpler, soluble substances
Describe mutualism
two or more organism support or benefit from one another
Describe predator-prey relationship
predators have adaptations to hunt and kill their prey for food and prey have adaptations to avoid being caught
Describe parasitism
an organism causes harm to another organism, known as its host without killing it
Processes that remove carbon dioxide from the enivironment
photosynthesis: absorb carbon dioxide using it to produce carbon compounds
feeding: when feeding on plants/animals means the carbon compounds being a part of their bodies
formation of fossil fuels: carbon compounds may be preserved as fossil fuels
Processes that release carbon dioxide
respiration: carbon compounds such as glucose are broken down into carbon dioxide
combustion: combustion of fossil fuels release carbon dioxide
decomposition: dead matter is broken down into simple substances like carbon dioxide and mineral salts by decomposers
importance of carbon cycle
ensures a continuous supply of carbon dioxide for photosynthesis
enables energy to flow through the ecosystem
how is energy lost at each tropic level?
heat and respiration as chemical energy in faeces and excretory products like carbon dioxide
Why does a food chain always begin with a producer?
they are the only organisms that can photosynthesise and make glucose from water and carbon dioxide. absorb light energy and convert it to chemical energy stored in the glucose
what is transferred during feeding?
energy and nutrients
What is the percentage of energy loss at each trophic level?
90%
