Unit 2 Lesson 2: Flow of Energy and Cycling of Matter in Ecosystems

Vocabulary flashcards covering ecosystem energy flow, trophic levels, food chains/webs, autotrophs, heterotrophs, and invasive species based on the lecture notes.

Nutria

Large rodents originally from South America introduced to control aquatic weeds that damaged wetlands by eating native plants, causing erosion and loss of habitat.

Zebra Mussels

Small mussels native to Russia that spread across North America, clogging water pipes, damaging boats, and competing with native aquatic species for food.

Asian Carp

A fish species introduced to U.S. rivers to control algae that now outcompetes native fish, threatening local fisheries.

Kudzu

A vine native to Asia introduced to the U.S. for erosion control that spread rapidly, smothering native plants.

Invasive Species

Organisms (plants, animals, or microorganisms) introduced intentionally or accidentally to a new area that can cause harm to the environment, economy, or human health.

10% Energy Rule

A principle stating that only about $10\%$ of the energy from one trophic level is passed to the next level in a food chain or food web, while the remaining $90\%$ is lost due to biological processes.

Producers

Organisms at the 1st trophic level (autotrophs) that convert solar energy into chemical energy through photosynthesis or use chemosynthesis to make their own food.

Primary Consumers

Herbivores at the 2nd trophic level that consume producers and obtain about $10\%$ of their energy.

Secondary Consumers

Carnivores or omnivores at the 3rd trophic level that eat herbivores and receive $10\%$ of their energy, which is $1\%$ of the original energy from producers.

Tertiary Consumers

Top predators at the 4th trophic level that feed on secondary consumers and receive $0.1\%$ of the original energy from producers.

Quaternary Consumers

Apex predators that eat tertiary consumers in a food chain or food web.

Decomposers

Organisms such as fungi, bacteria, earthworms, and slime molds that break down dead organisms and recycle nutrients back into the environment.

Food Chains

Simple, linear pathways showing how energy moves from one organism to another.

Food Webs

Networks showing interconnected energy paths, which are more accurate than food chains because they demonstrate biodiversity and ecosystem stability.

Autotrophs

Organisms that make their own food, including photosynthetic organisms (plants, algae, bacteria) and chemosynthetic organisms (bacteria).

Heterotrophs

Organisms that eat other organisms, categorized into herbivores, carnivores, and omnivores.

Detritivores

Organisms that consume dead organisms, including terrestrial invertebrates (earthworms, millipedes), aquatic organisms (shrimp, crayfish), and scavengers (scavenger insects, dung beetles).