Flow of Energy

Question 1

Ecosystem

Answer 1

A biological community of interacting organisms and their physical environment.

Question 2

Producer

Answer 2

an organism that produces organic compounds from simple substances such as water and carbon dioxide; an autotroph.

Question 3

Consumer

Answer 3

an organism that derives the organic compounds and energy it needs from the consumption of other organisms; a heterotroph.

Question 4

Decomposer

Answer 4

an organism, especially a soil bacterium, fungus, or invertebrate, that decomposes organic material.

Question 5

Food Chain

Answer 5

the series of processes by which food is grown or produced, sold, and eventually consumed.

Question 6

Food Web

Answer 6

a system of interlocking and interdependent food chains.

Question 7

Photosynthesis

Answer 7

the process by which green plants and some other organisms use sunlight to synthesize foods from carbon dioxide and water. Photosynthesis in plants generally involves the green pigment chlorophyll and generates oxygen as a byproduct.

Question 8

Cellular Respiration

Answer 8

Cellular respiration, the process by which organisms combine oxygen with foodstuff molecules, diverting the chemical energy in these substances into life-sustaining activities and discarding, as waste products, carbon dioxide and water.