Biology 1 Lecture Thanksgiving - Primary Productivity and Biomes Part 1

Biosphere, thin zone where all life exists (10km below sea level and 10km into atmosphere)

Global ecology is encompassed by the __________, the _______________________________--

0.002%

How much of Earth's diameter is occupied by the biosphere? Thinner than the peel of an apple (relatively)

Abiotic and biotic factors that a species can tolerate

What is a niche?

Synthesizes its own food from inorganic sources or sunlight

What is a primary producer/autotroph?

Primary producers, make things into energy stored in sugars

What forms the basis of ecosystems? Why?

Total amount of chemical energy produced in a given area and time period

What is Gross Primary Productivity (GPP)?

Panels

What is more effective at capturing solar energy: solar panels or plants?

Photopigments only absorb certain light wavelengths, photosynthesis slows in winter, photosynthesis slows in dry conditions, enzyme efficiency is temperature dependent

List 4 reasons why primary productivity is so inefficient

Cellular respiration, with waste/heat lost

How do autotrophs use energy to stay alive?

Respiration, growth and reproduction (55% of GPP)

After _______________, remaining energy can be put into _________ and __________

Energy remaining for growth and reproduction (45% of GPP)

What is Net Primary Productivity (NPP) in primary producers?

Waste and dead remains of other organisms

What do decomposers and detritivores eat?

Webs

What are more accurate, food chains or webs?

Primary producers

Biomass production is highest for ___________________

Biomass production declines

What happens to biomass production at higher levels?

Most energy is used for respiration, very little for cell replication and biomass production

At higher levels, why is biomass production lower and less efficient?

Organisms and ecosystems

The proportion of energy converted to biomass generally follows the 10% rule but varies between _________ and _________

A

CASE: In terms of energy utilization, which is the more sustainable diet?
A) Lots of vegetables, lots of insects, some beef
B) Lots of vegetables, few insects, lots of beef

Cold blooded animals depending on external heat, higher productivity

What are ectotherms and what is their relative productivity?