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Applied Ecology Lecture Final > Ecosystems > Flashcards

Ecosystems Flashcards

1
Q

What is an ecosystem?

A

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.

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2
Q

What are the biotic inputs that help make up an ecosystem? (List 3)

A
  • Plants
  • Animals
  • Microbes
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3
Q

What are the abiotic inputs that help make up an ecosystem? (List 4)

A
  • inorganic matter
  • nutrients
  • oxygen
  • CO2
  • H2O
  • energy
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4
Q

Define function

A

The “work” done in or by an ecosystem

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5
Q

Define ecological integrity

A

How “well” the “work” is done

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6
Q

What is the dominant source of energy for biological organisms?

A
  • The sun is the main source of energy

- Also hydrothermal vents produce energy

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7
Q

What is an autotroph?

A

An organism that obtains energy from the sun and other non-living sources (this includes hydrothermal vents)

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8
Q

What is a heterotroph?

A

Organisms that eat living matter (plant or animal) or, for decomposers and detritivores, using dead material derived from living autotrophs or other heterotrophs

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9
Q

Why is plant life so important to ecosystems on earth?

A
  • Plant life makes up over 99% by weight of living organisms on planet earth
  • Therefore, plants are the critical drivers of the ecosystem
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10
Q

How does photosynthesis work?

A
  • 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
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11
Q

What is the chemical equation for photosynthesis?

A

Water + Carbon dioxide + Sunlight = Sugar + Oxygen

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12
Q

What is the chemical equation involved for cellular respiration?

A

Sugar + Oxygen = Carbon dioxide + Water + Energy (ATP)

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13
Q

What are some differences between photosynthesis and cellular respiration?

A
  • 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
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14
Q

What is production?

A

Production occurs by using metabolizable energy for growth and reproduction

Secondary production refers to production by consumer organisms

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15
Q

What is gross primary production?

A

The energy fixed in photosynthesis

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16
Q

What is net primary production?

A

The net energy left over from that amount fixed in photosynthesis minus the energy lost due to respiration

17
Q

Generally, where is production the greatest and the least?

A

It is the greatest tropical rain forests and the least at both the poles

18
Q

What is the first law of thermodynamics?

A

Energy can not be created or destroyed

19
Q

What is the second law of thermodynamics?

A

In every transformation, potential energy is reduced because net energy is lost from the system in the process of transformation

20
Q

What are the trophic levels? (List 4)

A
  1. primary producers
  2. primary consumers
  3. secondary consumers
  4. tertiary consumers
21
Q

How much energy is lost from one trophic level to the next?

A

About 90%

22
Q

What is the difference between a decomposer and a detritivore? Give an example of each.

A

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

23
Q

What is the difference between a food chain and a food web?

A

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

24
Q

What are the 2 pathways to metabolize energy?

A
  1. Maintenance - for growth and survival

2. Production - for reproduction

25
Q

Define metabolism

A

All of the chemical and physical activities that sustain an organism

Applied Ecology Lecture Final (3 decks)

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