Matter and Energy

Question 1

What is matter?

Answer 1

Matter can neither be created nor destroyed

Question 2

What is energy?

Answer 2

The energy in a closed system is conserved

Question 3

Why are matter and energy important?

Answer 3

• Simple yet important consequences for studying the structure and functioning of ecosystems
• All biotic interactions (predation, competition, symbiosis) can be viewed through this lens

Question 4

What are some examples of Biotic Interactions with the chemical and physical environment?

Answer 4

1. Pools:
   - Organic (Organisms and detritus)
   - Inorganic (In the air, water and soil)
2. Processes:
   - Physical
   - Chemical
   - Biological

Question 5

What are the 2 methods of primary production?

Answer 5

1. Gross primary production (GPP)
2. Net primary production (NPP)

Question 6

What is GPP?

Answer 6

The total amount of ‘fixed’ carbon dioxide
- A substantial fraction of GPP supports plant autotrophic respiration

Question 7

What is NPP?

Answer 7

The amount of carbon retained in an ecosystem (increase in biomass); it is equal to the difference between the amount of carbon produced through photosynthesis (GPP) and the amount of energy that is used for respiration (R)

Question 8

What was James Lovelock’s statement about Signs of Life?

Answer 8

“I would look for an entropy reduction, since this must be a general characteristic of all forms of life. Life is one of those processes which are found whenever there is an abundant flow of energy. It is characterized by a tendency to shape or form itself as it consumes, but to do so it must always excrete low-grade products to the surroundings.”

Question 9

What is entropy reduction?

Answer 9

A hypothetical process wherein an activity or transformation is said to lower entropy and thus increase order

Question 10

What are the big 3 Biogeochemical cycles?

Answer 10

1. Phosphorous
2. Nitrogen
3. Carbon

Question 11

What are the 4 common limiting factors for primary production?

Answer 11

1. Precipitation (Terrestrial)
2. Temperature
3. Light
4. Nutrients

Question 12

What are the limiting nutrients for Carbon?

Answer 12

Carbon - Rarely limiting, but consequential for climate change and ocean acidification

Question 13

What are the limiting nutrients for Nitrogen?

Answer 13

Nitrogen - Limiting nutrient in terrestrial and marine ecosystems

Question 14

What are the limiting nutrients for Phosphorous?

Answer 14

Phosphorous - Limiting nutrient in freshwater ecosystems