Energy In Ecological Systems

Question 1

What happens when chlorophyll absorbs light energy?

Answer 1

The absorbed energy stimulates electrons in atoms within the chlorophyll molecules to move to a higher energy level. The energy released by these excited electrons when they return to the ground state is then used by the plant to manufacture food molecules.

Question 2

What do most ecological systems depend on for an energy source?

Answer 2

The sun.

Question 3

What do photons of light cause electrons to do?

Answer 3

Move to a higher energy level.

Question 4

True or False: The biomass of plants, plant eaters, and predators are all the same.

Answer 4

False, the biomass gets smaller the higher up the food chain you go.

Question 5

What type of chart shows the energy loss at each trophic level?

Answer 5

Estonian Pyramids.

Question 6

How much energy loss does an Eltonian Pyramid show at each level?

Answer 6

90% or more.

Question 7

Give a simple example of a biomass food chain.

Answer 7

Producer > Composer 1 > Composer 2 > Decomposer > inorganic materials > Producer

Question 8

What do green plants have to help them obtain energy?

Answer 8

Special pigments called chlorophyll; they help green plants obtain light energy.