Chapter 14 - Flow of energy and cycling of matter in ecosystems

Question 0

Biogeochemical cycles

Answer 0

The cycling of matter through an ecosystem (focusing on the cycling of carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus)

Question 1

Bioaccumulation

Answer 1

Becoming concentrated inside the body of an organism

Question 2

Biomass

Answer 2

The total amount of matter present in organisms at each trophic level at a given time

Question 3

Carbon cycle

Answer 3

The recycling of carbon throughout an ecosystem, where the carbon moves through the atmosphere as the inorganic molecule carbon dioxide

Question 4

Carnivores

Answer 4

A type of animal that consumes other animals (meats)

Question 5

Cellular respiration

Answer 5

The process that each animal cell undergoes, to transfer glucose and oxygen gas into energy, water and the waste product of carbon dioxide. This process is the opposite to photosynthesis.

Question 6

Chemical energy

Answer 6

Present in organic molecules, it is a concentrated form of energy that can be readily stored and transferred

Question 7

Chemosynthetic

Answer 7

The synthesis of organic compounds by other organisms from energy produced by processes involving inorganic chemicals

Question 8

Cold seep

Answer 8

Cold, dark regions of the ocean where methane is released from deposits of methane hydrate

Question 9

Detritivores

Answer 9

An organism that feeds on dead organic material

Question 10

Ecological pyramids

Answer 10

Information about numbers of organisms at each trophic level and other aspects shown for an ecosystem

Question 11

Ecosystems

Answer 11

A biological community of organisms which interact with one another as well as the physical environment surrounding them

Question 12

Energy

Answer 12

A power created by various bodily functions, which allows an organism to function. Typically made by converting glucose into energy (cellular respiration).

Question 13

Energy flow

Answer 13

The flow of chemical energy between the producers, consumers and decomposers of an ecosystem

Question 14

Food chains

Answer 14

A chain of events that demonstrates the flow of chemical energy from the eaten to the eaters

Question 15

Food webs

Answer 15

Where many organisms and matter can contribute to the flow of chemical energy from producers to consumers

Question 16

Gross primary production (GPP)

Answer 16

The rate at which the producers of an ecosystem transfer light energy into the chemical energy in organic matter

Question 17

Guano

Answer 17

The excitement of seabirds and fish, used as fertilizer

Question 18

Herbivores

Answer 18

A type of animal which consumes plants as part of its diet

Question 19

Kinetic energy

Answer 19

The energy used in relation to motion

Question 20

Limiting factor

Answer 20

A factor within an ecosystem that limits a specific resource, such as light, carbon dioxide or water

Question 21

Net primary production (NPP)

Answer 21

The energy production remaining after producer respiration

Question 22

Nitrogen cycle

Answer 22

The cycle of nitrogen in an ecosystem, typically through the conversion nitrogen gas in the atmosphere into more useful nitrogen compounds

Question 23

Non-biodegradable

Answer 23

Not capable of being decomposed by decomposer organisms

Question 24

Persistent

Answer 24

A type of material that cannot be broken down by decomposer organisms (also know as non-biodegradable)

Question 25

Phosphorus cycle

Answer 25

The cycling of phosphorus throughout an ecosystem, which unlike the other two cycles, this does not include the phosphorus gas in the atmosphere

Question 26

Photosynthetic

Answer 26

The process by which plants and some other organisms use sunlight to synthesise nutrients from carbon dioxide and water (known as photosynthesis)

Question 27

Phytoplankton

Answer 27

Plankton consisting of microscopic plants

Question 28

Potential energy

Answer 28

A general term to describe stored energy (includes nuclear, gravitational, stored mechanical and chemical energy)

Question 29

Primary consumers

Answer 29

Consumers that feed directly on the organic matter created by producers

Question 30

Producers

Answer 30

The organisms within an ecosystem that produce organic matter from the light energy from the sun

Question 31

Productivity

Answer 31

The rate of production of new biomass by an individual, population or community

Question 32

Pyramid of biomass

Answer 32

A pyramid that records the total dry organic matter of organisms at each trophic level in a given area of an ecosystem

Question 33

Pyramid of energy

Answer 33

A pyramid that shows the amount of energy input to each trophic level in a given area of an ecosystem over an extended period, typically over one year

Question 34

Pyramid of numbers

Answer 34

A pyramid that shows the number of organisms at each trophic level per unit area of an ecosystem

Question 35

Radiant energy

Answer 35

The light energy radiated from the sun

Question 36

Secondary consumers

Answer 36

Consumers that feed on primary consumers

Question 37

Tertiary consumers

Answer 37

Consumers that consume secondary consumers and are typically carnivorous

Question 38

Trophic level

Answer 38

The feeding level of a consumer within an ecosystem

Question 39

Upwelling

Answer 39

An instance or amount of seawater, magma or other liquid rising up and causing long-lasting volcanic activity

Question 40

Water cycle

Answer 40

The cycle of water within an ecosystem, where the water changes physically (water vapour) rather than chemically. The water cycles through evaporation, precipitation, transpiration and percolation (flow of water below ground)