Energy And Matter Flow Through Ecosystems - Ecosystems Flashcards
How much of the chemical energy consumed by an organism is passed on to the next trophic level?
Only 10-15%.
How much of the chemical energy consumed is released in waste products (eg, urine, carbon dioxide)?
50% is released as waste products.
How much of the chemicals energy consumed is released into the environment as heat energy?
40%.
Why is energy released as heat considered “wasted”?
This energy is considered wasted because it can no longer be used by organisms for repair, growth or movement.
Which way does energy flow through ecosystems?
Energy flows from the lower trophic levels to the higher trophic levels, and to decomposers when an organism dies.
Draw a diagram showing the flow of matter through an ecosystem.
(See notes).
Why is the flow of matter important in an ecosystem?
It helps maintain a sustainable ecosystem.
What is the major difference between energy flow in ecosystems and matter flow in ecosystem?
The major differences is that energy can be “lost”, but matter always stays within the ecosystem.
