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Biology > Energy in Ecosystems > Flashcards

Energy in Ecosystems Flashcards

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AP® Biology flashcards Biology 101 flashcards
1
Q

What is energy?

A

the capacity to work

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2
Q

What is the ultimate source of energy?

A

the sun

except for deep-sea hydrothermal ecosystems

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3
Q

What is PAR?

A

photosynthetically active radiation

only 60% of incident solar radiation is PAR

solar energy —-(photosynthesis)—-> chemical energy (adenosine triphosphate) —-> stored in plant tissue —> heat & mechanical energy during metabolic activities

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4
Q

What are the components of energy flow in an ecosystem?

A

sun -
~34% sunlight reflected off Earth’s atmosphere (dust & cloud)
~10% held by ozone layer, h20 vapour + gases
~56% reaches Earth’s surface
~2-10% used by plants
remaining absorbed as heat by water or ground

energy absorbed by plants and animals transform into heat

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5
Q

What is the photosynthesis formula?

A

CO2 + H2O + light ——–> C6H12O6 (chem. energy) + O2

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6
Q

How is chemical energy (C6H12O6) stored?

A

chemical energy is converted into biomass

stored energy in biomass is passed on as consumers feed

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7
Q

What is biomass?

A

is the total dry mass of organisms within an area or volume

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8
Q

What are ecological energetics?

A

include energy transformation which occur within the ecosystems

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9
Q

What is considered in regards to ecological energetics?

A
  1. QUANTITY of ENERGY REACHING and ecosystem per UNIT AREA per UNIT TIME
  2. QUANTITY of ENERGY TRAPPED by green plants & CONVERTED to a CHEMICAL FORM
  3. QUANTITY & PATH of ENERGY FLOW from green PLANTS to ORGANISMS of different TROPHIC LEVELS over a PERIOD OF TIME in a KNOWN AREA
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10
Q

What are the 2 laws concerning energy transformation in ecosystems?

A

explained by laws of thermodynamics:

  1. Energy may be TRANSFORMED from 1 form to another but it can NEITHER BE CREATED / DESTROYED
  2. processes involving energy transformation DOES NOT occur SPONTANEOUSLY, UNLESS there is DEGRADATION of ENERGY from a NON-RADOM TO A RANDOM FORM

(energy in living organisms = non-random i.e. chemical bonds
BUT when decomposition occurs = converted to random form by simpler form)

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11
Q

How is energy stored and transferred?

A

energy is stored in organic molecules (i.e. carbohydrates & lipids) can be transferred by cell respiration to ATP

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12
Q

How does ATP support cells’ metabolism?

What is ATP?

A

THE ENERGY CURRENCY OF THE CELL

building and breaking down of molecules (anabolism & catabolism)

Homeostasis

growth

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13
Q

How do inefficiencies occur in the transfer of energy btw organisms?

A

excretion - toxic organic molecules

digestion - some ingested materials not absorbed

uneaten remains

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14
Q

How are organisms interconnected?

A

connected in intricate manner as energy flow through those connections

depicted as food chains & food webs

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15
Q

What is the basic difference btw energy & nutrient flow?

A

energy = UNIDIRECTIONAL in food chains/webs

nutrients = cycled through food chain/web

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16
Q

What makes a food chain?

A

linear sequence

starts wt producer

2-5 organisms

arrow = is eaten by (show energy flow)

17
Q

What makes a food web?

A

a series of food chains that are interconnected at various trophic levels, so as to form a number of feeding connections amongst different organisms of a biotic community

1 organism my occupy >1 trophic level

18
Q

What is cellular respiration and its formula?

A

is the conversion of chemical energy into a form usable for cells

C6H12O6 + O2 ——–> CO2 + H2O + ATP

releases heat when organic compounds converted to ATP

19
Q

What is the 10% law?

A

introduced by Raymond Lindeman

during the transfer of energy from organic food (consumption of biomass) from 1 trophic level to the next (energy transfer), only 10% of the energy from organic matter is stored as flesh

remaining is lost during transfer, broken down in respiration, lost to incomplete digestion, excreted

20
Q

What is a trophic level?

A

the position of the organism in a food chain according to there feeding relationships with other organisms. Therefore organisms occupy specific place in food chain AKA trophic level

organisms on each trophic level depend on those at the lower trophic levels for their energy demands

21
Q

What is a standing crop?

A

each trophic level has a certain mass of living material at a particular time AKA standing crop

measured as the biomass of an organism or their number in a unit area

22
Q

What is a pyramid of energy?

A

any calculations of energy content, biomass or numbers has to include all organisms at that trophic level

SHOW FLOW OF EBERY btw TROPHIC LEVELS

measured in: units of energy / unit area / unit time
kJ m^-2 y^-1

23
Q

How do I draw a pyramid of energy?

A

producer at bottom

each new level should be 1/10 of the previous level

get smaller as go up

kJ m^-2 y^-1

24
Q

Why are food chains & biomass limited by energy loss btw trophic levels?

A

bc there is not much energy available at higher trophic levels due to 10% law

therefore, there are fewer apex predators when compared to producers

25
Q

Outline how energy is passed through ecosystems

A

sun = initial source of energy for most ecosystems

producers = capture sun energy in photosynthesis
therefore, light energy —> chemical energy

energy passed from producer to consumer through feeding

energy transfer btw trophic levels inefficient due to 10% law
therefore, energy lost as heat/materials not eaten/ waste/ not assimilated

organisms cannot convert heat energy into other forms

food chains & biomass limited by energy availability

26
Q

Explain the flow of nutrients & energy through ecosystems?

A

energy:
enters from sunlight

autotrophs capture light

energy transfer through trophic levels

energy loss

energy passes to decomposers (detritivores & saprotrophs) in dead organic matter

heat energy lost in cellular respiration

nutrients:
cycles / recycled

enter ecosystem through weathering rocks

recycles from decomposition of dead organisms

nutrients move through food chain by digestion

nutrients absorbed by producers

nutrients lost by leaching / sedimentation

Biology (15 decks)

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