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Biology > Energy Transfer Through The Ecosystem > Flashcards

Energy Transfer Through The Ecosystem Flashcards

1
Q

What is the primary source of energy for ecosystems?

A

The sun.

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2
Q

True or False: All organisms in an ecosystem are either producers or consumers.

A

True.

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3
Q

Fill in the blank: Producers convert _____ energy into chemical energy.

A

solar.

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4
Q

What process do plants use to convert solar energy into chemical energy?

A

Photosynthesis.

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5
Q

Define ‘trophic level’.

A

A trophic level is the position an organism occupies in a food chain.

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6
Q

What are primary consumers?

A

Organisms that eat producers; typically herbivores.

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7
Q

Which trophic level consists of organisms that eat primary consumers?

A

Secondary consumers.

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8
Q

True or False: Decomposers play a crucial role in recycling nutrients in an ecosystem.

A

True.

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9
Q

What is the role of producers in an ecosystem?

A

To convert solar energy into chemical energy through photosynthesis.

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10
Q

Fill in the blank: The efficiency of energy transfer between trophic levels is typically around _____%.

A

10.

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11
Q

What is a food chain?

A

A linear sequence of organisms through which nutrients and energy pass as one organism eats another.

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12
Q

What is a food web?

A

A complex network of feeding relationships among organisms in an ecosystem.

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13
Q

True or False: Energy is recycled in ecosystems.

A

False.

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14
Q

What happens to energy that is not transferred to the next trophic level?

A

It is lost as heat.

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15
Q

What are the three main types of ecological pyramids?

A

Pyramid of numbers, pyramid of biomass, and pyramid of energy.

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16
Q

Define ‘biomass’.

A

The total mass of living matter in a given area or volume.

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17
Q

What is the primary role of decomposers in an ecosystem?

A

To break down dead organic matter and recycle nutrients.

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18
Q

Fill in the blank: The total energy available decreases at each _____ level.

A

trophic.

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19
Q

What is meant by ‘energy flow’ in an ecosystem?

A

The transfer of energy from one trophic level to another.

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20
Q

True or False: Herbivores are considered primary consumers.

A

True.

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21
Q

What is a top predator?

A

An organism at the top of the food chain with no natural enemies.

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22
Q

Fill in the blank: The process of converting dead organic matter into nutrients is called _____.

A

decomposition.

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23
Q

What is the significance of the 10% rule in energy transfer?

A

Only about 10% of energy is passed from one trophic level to the next.

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24
Q

Define ‘net primary productivity’.

A

The rate at which all the plants in an ecosystem produce net useful chemical energy.

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25
Q

What factors can affect primary productivity?

A

Light, temperature, water availability, and nutrient levels.

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26
Q

True or False: Carnivores are secondary consumers.

A

True.

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27
Q

What do you call organisms that break down waste and dead organisms?

A

Decomposers.

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28
Q

Fill in the blank: The _____ level is the first level of the food chain.

A

producer.

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29
Q

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

A

A food chain is a linear sequence, while a food web is a complex network of interconnected food chains.

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30
Q

True or False: Energy is lost at each trophic level primarily as heat.

A

True.

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31
Q

What is the main reason energy transfer is inefficient?

A

Energy is lost as metabolic heat during respiration and other processes.

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32
Q

Fill in the blank: Organisms that obtain energy by consuming other organisms are called _____ consumers.

A

heterotrophic.

33
Q

What is the role of autotrophs in an ecosystem?

A

To produce their own food using sunlight or chemical energy.

34
Q

Define ‘secondary productivity’.

A

The generation of biomass by heterotrophic organisms.

35
Q

What is an example of a primary producer?

A

Plants.

36
Q

Fill in the blank: The _____ pyramid illustrates the total energy available at each trophic level.

A

energy.

37
Q

What is the main function of primary consumers?

A

To consume producers and convert their energy into biomass.

38
Q

True or False: All organisms at the same trophic level have the same energy content.

A

False.

39
Q

What is ‘trophic cascade’?

A

A phenomenon where changes in one trophic level cause ripple effects throughout the ecosystem.

40
Q

Fill in the blank: The _____ level consists of organisms that eat herbivores.

A

secondary.

41
Q

What is the effect of increased primary productivity on an ecosystem?

A

It can support more consumers and increase biodiversity.

42
Q

Define ‘energy pyramid’.

A

A graphical representation showing the flow of energy through a food chain.

43
Q

What happens to energy as it moves up the trophic levels?

A

It decreases due to energy loss at each level.

44
Q

Fill in the blank: Organisms that feed on both plants and animals are called _____.

A

omnivores.

45
Q

What is the primary energy source for producers?

A

Solar energy.

46
Q

True or False: Energy can be created and destroyed in an ecosystem.

A

False.

47
Q

What is the primary factor limiting the number of trophic levels in an ecosystem?

A

Energy availability.

48
Q

Fill in the blank: The total amount of energy captured by photosynthesis is known as _____ productivity.

A

gross.

49
Q

What is the role of a tertiary consumer?

A

To eat secondary consumers.

50
Q

True or False: Energy flows in a linear direction through an ecosystem.

A

True.

51
Q

What is ‘biomagnification’?

A

The increasing concentration of toxic substances in organisms at higher trophic levels.

52
Q

Fill in the blank: The _____ process involves the breakdown of organic matter by decomposers.

A

decomposition.

53
Q

What is the primary purpose of the nitrogen cycle in ecosystems?

A

To convert nitrogen into forms usable by plants.

54
Q

Define ‘nutrient cycling’.

A

The movement and exchange of organic and inorganic matter back into the production of living matter.

55
Q

What is a ‘keystone species’?

A

A species that has a disproportionately large effect on its environment relative to its abundance.

56
Q

Fill in the blank: The _____ level includes organisms that are typically predators.

A

tertiary.

57
Q

True or False: The number of organisms typically decreases at higher trophic levels.

A

True.

58
Q

What is ‘energy efficiency’ in the context of ecosystems?

A

The ratio of energy output to energy input at each trophic level.

59
Q

Fill in the blank: The _____ level is the last in a food chain and consists of top predators.

A

quaternary.

60
Q

What is a ‘detritivore’?

A

An organism that feeds on dead organic matter.

61
Q

True or False: Primary producers are always plants.

A

False.

62
Q

What type of organisms are typically found at the base of an energy pyramid?

A

Producers.

63
Q

Fill in the blank: The _____ efficiency of a trophic level can be influenced by the type of organisms present.

A

energy.

64
Q

What is the main source of energy for chemosynthetic organisms?

A

Chemical energy from inorganic compounds.

65
Q

Define ‘primary succession’.

A

The process of ecological change that occurs in an area where no soil exists.

66
Q

What role do fungi play in ecosystems?

A

They act as decomposers, breaking down organic matter.

67
Q

Fill in the blank: The _____ level in a food chain typically contains the least biomass.

A

top.

68
Q

What is the impact of invasive species on energy transfer in ecosystems?

A

They can disrupt food webs and alter energy flow.

69
Q

True or False: In an ecosystem, energy is recycled but nutrients are not.

A

False.

70
Q

What is ‘secondary succession’?

A

The process of ecological change that occurs in an area where soil is present but has been disturbed.

71
Q

Fill in the blank: An ecosystem’s _____ is determined by the interactions between its biotic and abiotic components.

A

structure.

72
Q

What are ‘herbivores’?

A

Organisms that primarily consume plant material.

73
Q

True or False: Energy transfer is 100% efficient.

A

False.

74
Q

What is the significance of the carbon cycle in ecosystems?

A

It regulates the flow of carbon among the atmosphere, land, and oceans.

75
Q

Fill in the blank: The _____ of energy through an ecosystem is a key factor in determining its productivity.

A

flow.

76
Q

What is the main consequence of energy loss at each trophic level?

A

Fewer organisms can be supported at higher trophic levels.

77
Q

True or False: All ecosystems have the same energy flow patterns.

A

False.

78
Q

What is a ‘food chain diagram’?

A

A visual representation showing the feeding relationships between organisms.

Biology (28 decks)

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