Energy Fixation and Flow Flashcards
The ecosystem depends on
A constant input of energy
In organisms every energy conversion results in
Some energy lost as heat
Almost all ecosystems depend on light energy which allows
Plants to fix the light energy into chemical energy in organic molecules.
What is the biomass of a plant?
All the organic molecules together (carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, nucleus acids).
What is GPP?
Gross primary productivity: the total yield of organic matter from photosynthesis.
What is the NPP?
Net primary productivity: is the biomass remaining after respiration (some of the biomass is used for respiration).
NPP is measured in kg/m^2/year so that
Fair comparison between very different ecosystems is possible.
What does NPP determine and why?
How much productivity of organic matter is possible by the animals because it represents the organic matter available to herbivores as food.
Feeding is
The transfer of energy from plants through different organisms in the ecosystem.
Tropic level is
The position an organism holds in a food web
Autotrophs
Use inorganic molecules I form complex organic molecules.
Heterotrophs
Rely ok ready made complex organic molecules for nutrition.
What is the name of organisms that feed on rot?
Saprotrophs
Saprotrophs –> D…………..
–> D…………..
Detnivores and decomposers
