L3 Ecosystem Fundamentals (Mass & Energy)

Question 1

Ecosystem definition?

Answer 1

consists of organisms within a population that cohabitate with each other for survival

Biotic + Abiotic

Question 2

Metabolism

Answer 2

The total sum of chemical processes that occur in living organisms. Resulting in growth, energy and elimination of waste

Question 3

What is resting metabolic rate?

Answer 3

the amount of energy a body requires to keep it alive

Question 4

What is metabolic rate?

Answer 4

The amount of energy a body needs to keep it alive and perform tasks (more tasks = higher rate)
The higher the mass of an organism, the higher the metabolic rate

Question 5

Kleiber’s Rule

Answer 5

Metabolism = constant*Mass^(3/4)

Question 6

What are the basic physical laws that govern ecosystems

Answer 6

1- mass is conserved, whether abiotic or biotic
2 - mass is recycled within ecosystems (mass can change forms, new form still within ecosystem)
3 - Law of Thermodynamics
a) Energy is conserved
b) the amount of useful energy in a system decreases with every transfer or energy
4 - mass within an ecosystem is not inherently limited (they are open to mass)

Question 7

What is a Food Chain, Trophic Level, Trophic Structure, Autotroph and Heterotroph?

Answer 7

Food Chain - shows movement of mass and energy from one trophic level to another

Trophic Level - consists of the organisms in the ecosystem that are the same number of steps removed from the autotrophs

Trophic Structure - the structure of energy transfer and loss b/w populations in the ecosystem (energy generally decreases as go up levels due to loss)

Autotroph - a photosynthetic or chemosynthetic organism tht uses light/chemical energy to turn carbon into usable food source (primary producers)

Heterotroph - organisms that needs food from the environment (consumer)

Question 8

What are detrivores and what are their significance to energy in ecosystems

Answer 8

detrivore - organisms that consumes waste materials - they recycle (waste)

the energy loss due to waste from each trophic level in the ecosystem is used by detrivores, then converting this back to inroganic constituents and allowing a full recycle in the ecosystem (refer to L3 diagram). However, there is still some heat energy loss with every energy transfer

Question 9

Energy in Ecosystems

Answer 9

• Energy flows through ecosystems.
• The flow of energy drives the cycling
  of mass in ecosystems.
• Heat energy is lost with each energy transfer.

Question 10

why are big fierce animals rare

Answer 10

• top of energy pyramid
  not enough energy available to support high energy/biomass demand (esp if warm blooded, cuz they require more energy)