Ecosystems Flashcards
What is an ecosystem?
An ecosystem is a community of living organisms located in a particular space and time. The living and physical components are linked together through nutrient cycles and energy flows.
What are the biotic inputs that help make up an ecosystem? (List 3)
- Plants
- Animals
- Microbes
What are the abiotic inputs that help make up an ecosystem? (List 4)
- inorganic matter
- nutrients
- oxygen
- CO2
- H2O
- energy
Define function
The “work” done in or by an ecosystem
Define ecological integrity
How “well” the “work” is done
What is the dominant source of energy for biological organisms?
- The sun is the main source of energy
- Also hydrothermal vents produce energy
What is an autotroph?
An organism that obtains energy from the sun and other non-living sources (this includes hydrothermal vents)
What is a heterotroph?
Organisms that eat living matter (plant or animal) or, for decomposers and detritivores, using dead material derived from living autotrophs or other heterotrophs
Why is plant life so important to ecosystems on earth?
- Plant life makes up over 99% by weight of living organisms on planet earth
- Therefore, plants are the critical drivers of the ecosystem
How does photosynthesis work?
- Leaves absorb CO2 and sunlight
- Water is taken in by tree roots
- The solar energy powers the process of photosynthesis
- Water and CO2 are used as raw materials in the production of sugars
What is the chemical equation for photosynthesis?
Water + Carbon dioxide + Sunlight = Sugar + Oxygen
What is the chemical equation involved for cellular respiration?
Sugar + Oxygen = Carbon dioxide + Water + Energy (ATP)
What are some differences between photosynthesis and cellular respiration?
- Photosynthesis requires light where cellular respiration does not
- Photosynthesis only occurs in plants while cellular respiration occurs in all plants and animals
- In photosynthesis, energy is trapped while in cellular respiration, energy is released
- Photosynthesis only occurs during the day because of the sun, while cellular respiration can occur during the day and night
What is production?
Production occurs by using metabolizable energy for growth and reproduction
Secondary production refers to production by consumer organisms
What is gross primary production?
The energy fixed in photosynthesis
What is net primary production?
The net energy left over from that amount fixed in photosynthesis minus the energy lost due to respiration
Generally, where is production the greatest and the least?
It is the greatest tropical rain forests and the least at both the poles
What is the first law of thermodynamics?
Energy can not be created or destroyed
What is the second law of thermodynamics?
In every transformation, potential energy is reduced because net energy is lost from the system in the process of transformation
What are the trophic levels? (List 4)
- primary producers
- primary consumers
- secondary consumers
- tertiary consumers
How much energy is lost from one trophic level to the next?
About 90%
What is the difference between a decomposer and a detritivore? Give an example of each.
A decomposer is an organism that breaks down dead organic matter in the environment, while a detritivore eats and digests dead organic matter to gain nutrients.
An example of a decomposer: Protists
An example of a detritivore: Earthworm
What is the difference between a food chain and a food web?
A food chain follows a single path as animals eat each other
A food web shows how plants and animals are interconnected by different paths
What are the 2 pathways to metabolize energy?
- Maintenance - for growth and survival
2. Production - for reproduction
