C4.2 Transfer of Energy & Matter

A set of flashcards covering key vocabulary related to energy transfer and matter cycling in ecosystems, designed to aid in studying for exams.

Ecosystem

A group of organisms interacting with each other and with the non-living parts of the environment.

Biotic components

Living parts of an ecosystem, including plants, animals, and microorganisms.

Abiotic components

Non-living parts of an ecosystem, such as temperature, water, and light.

Energy flow

The transfer of energy through an ecosystem, usually from sunlight to producers and then to consumers.

Trophic levels

The position of an organism in a food chain, indicating how many organisms' energy has passed through.

Producers

Organisms that produce their own carbon compounds using light energy or inorganic compounds.

Primary consumers

Herbivores that feed on plant tissue.

Secondary consumers

Carnivores that feed on primary consumers.

Decomposition

The process of breaking down dead organisms and organic waste, returning nutrients to the soil.

Carbon cycle

The series of processes by which carbon compounds are interconverted in the environment.

Autotrophy

The ability of an organism to produce its own food from inorganic substances.

Heterotrophy

The mode of nutrition where organisms obtain their food by consuming other organisms.

Photosynthesis

The process by which producers use light energy to convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose.

Chemoautotrophs

Organisms that obtain energy by oxidizing inorganic substances instead of through sunlight.

Respiration

The process of breaking down glucose to release energy, carbon dioxide, and water.

Energy loss

The loss of energy at each trophic level due to various factors, such as heat and undigested food.

Pyramids of energy

Diagrams illustrating the energy contained within the biomass of organisms at different trophic levels.

Nutrient cycling

The recycling of nutrients in an ecosystem through the actions of producers, consumers, and decomposers.

Carbon sink

A part of the carbon cycle that absorbs and stores carbon, such as plants or oceans.

Carbon source

A part of the carbon cycle that releases carbon, such as burning fossil fuels or respiration.

Metabolism

The total of all chemical reactions in a living organism that enable it to maintain life.

Trophic levels representation

Numbers that represent the position of organisms in a food chain, starting from producers.

Main atmospheric form of carbon

Carbon dioxide (\text{CO}_2)

Carbon fixation

The process by which inorganic carbon (\text{CO}_2) is converted into organic compounds by living organisms, primarily via photosynthesis.

Role of oceans in the carbon cycle

Oceans act as a major carbon sink, absorbing atmospheric carbon dioxide and storing it in various forms, including dissolved \text{CO}_2 and carbonates.

Human impact on the carbon cycle

Activities such as burning fossil fuels and deforestation release large amounts of stored carbon into the atmosphere as carbon dioxide (\text{CO}_2).

Ecosystem

A group of organisms interacting with each other and with the non-living parts of the environment.

Biotic components

Living parts of an ecosystem, including plants, animals, and microorganisms.

Abiotic components

Non-living parts of an ecosystem, such as temperature, water, and light.

Energy flow

The transfer of energy through an ecosystem, usually from sunlight to producers and then to consumers.

Trophic levels

The position of an organism in a food chain, indicating how many organisms' energy has passed through.

Producers

Organisms that produce their own carbon compounds using light energy or inorganic compounds.

Primary consumers

Herbivores that feed on plant tissue.

Secondary consumers

Carnivores that feed on primary consumers.

Decomposition

The process of breaking down dead organisms and organic waste, returning nutrients to the soil.

Carbon cycle

The series of processes by which carbon compounds are interconverted in the environment.

Autotrophy

The ability of an organism to produce its own food from inorganic substances.

Heterotrophy

The mode of nutrition where organisms obtain their food by consuming other organisms.

Photosynthesis

The process by which producers use light energy to convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose.

Chemoautotrophs

Organisms that obtain energy by oxidizing inorganic substances instead of through sunlight.

Respiration

The process of breaking down glucose to release energy, carbon dioxide, and water.

Energy loss

The loss of energy at each trophic level due to various factors, such as heat and undigested food.

Pyramids of energy

Diagrams illustrating the energy contained within the biomass of organisms at different trophic levels.

Nutrient cycling

The recycling of nutrients in an ecosystem through the actions of producers, consumers, and decomposers.

Carbon sink

A part of the carbon cycle that absorbs and stores carbon, such as plants or oceans.

Carbon source

A part of the carbon cycle that releases carbon, such as burning fossil fuels or respiration.

Metabolism

The total of all chemical reactions in a living organism that enable it to maintain life.

Trophic levels representation

Numbers that represent the position of organisms in a food chain, starting from producers.

Main atmospheric form of carbon

Carbon dioxide (\text{CO}_2)

Carbon fixation

The process by which inorganic carbon (\text{CO}_2) is converted into organic compounds by living organisms, primarily via photosynthesis.

Role of oceans in the carbon cycle

Oceans act as a major carbon sink, absorbing atmospheric carbon dioxide and storing it in various forms, including dissolved \text{CO}_2 and carbonates.

Human impact on the carbon cycle

Activities such as burning fossil fuels and deforestation release large amounts of stored carbon into the atmosphere as carbon dioxide (\text{CO}_2).

What are the major carbon reservoirs on Earth?

The atmosphere, oceans, land (in organisms and soil), and sediments (including fossil fuels).

How do decomposers contribute to the carbon cycle?

They break down dead organic matter, releasing carbon dioxide (\text{CO}_2) into the atmosphere and reintroducing carbon compounds into the soil.

What is combustion's role in the carbon cycle?

The burning of organic matter (like wood) or fossil fuels, which releases large amounts of stored carbon, primarily as carbon dioxide (\text{CO}_2), into the atmosphere.

What distinguishes the short-term carbon cycle from the long-term carbon cycle?

The short-term cycle involves rapid exchange between the atmosphere, oceans, and living organisms (days to thousands of years), while the long-term cycle involves carbon stored in rocks and fossil fuels over millions of years.