ecology cycles Flashcards
closed system
- energy exchange
- NO matter exchange
open system
- energy and matter exchange
photosynthesis
6CO2 + 6H2O → C6H12O6 + 6O2
cellular respiration
C6H12O6 (aq) + 6 O2 (g) –> 6 CO2(g) + 6 H2O (l)
* ALL LIVING THINGS DO IT*
1st law of thermodynamics
amount of energy is constant
2nd law of thermodynamics
energy is neither created or destroyed
autotrophs
self feeding
suns energy –> chemical energy
heterotrophs
energy gained by eating producers
decomposers
return nutrients to soil
- also called detritivores
trophic levels
1 - producers, autotrophs
2 - primary consumer, herbivores
3 - secondary consumer, carnivores
4 - tertiary consumer, top carnivores
types of pyramids
- numbers
- biomass
- energy
pyramid of biomass
representation of the total biomass measured in g/m^2
pyramid of energy
- measured in joules of energy
- always pyramid shape
biotic
living
abiotic
non-living
biomagnification
increase in toxin concentrations from one level to another on a food chains
rule of ten
10% of energy goes to the next consumer
homeostasis
a state of balance
properties of water
- polar molecule
- universal solvent
- high specific heat capacity
high specific heat capacity
can absorb or release a LOT energy before changing energy
the hydrologic cycle
evaporation –> condesation –> precipitation
percolation
runoff, trickles through rock picking up ions as it becomes ground water
transpiration
- plants release O2 during photosynthesis
- H2O is lost
anoxic
lack of oxygen
hypoxic
less oxygen
cynobacteria
photosynthesize to release O2
stromatolites
fossilized rocks trapping cynobacteria
carbon cycle
- photosynthesis
- cellular respiration
- combustion
- decomposition
combustion
chemical reaction to oxygen that gives off heat
decomposition
the process of breaking down dead organic substances
carbon sources
any process that releases CO2 into the biosphere
carbon sinks
stores CO2
nitrogen (facts)
- nitrogen is most of our atmosphere
- nitrogen compounds are key components of proteins