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.