L3 Ecosystem & Energy Flow

Energy

the ability to do work, such as moving matter over a distance or causing a heat transfer between two objects at different temperatures

Energy

Can take many different forms

kinetic energy

energy contained in moving objects

potential energy

stored energy that is latent but available for use

Heat

energy that can be transferred between objects due to their difference in temperature

If enough heat is added, the substance may change to a different phase.

When a substance absorbs heat, the kinetic energy of its molecules increases.

Thermodynamics

deals with the rates of flow and the transformation of energy from one form or quality to another.

Thermodynamics

regulates energy transfer

1st law of thermodynamics

energy is conserved; that is, it is neither created nor destroyed under normal conditions

2nd law of thermodynamics

with each successive energy transfer or transformation in a system, less energy is available to do work

Ecosystem

an array of organisms and their physical environment, all interacting through a flow of energy and cycling of materials

Habitat

space that the organism inhabits or where it lives

Niche

obligatory role fulfilled by an organism within its defined habitat contributory to the total ecosystem function

Homeostasis

a living organisms steady state condition

Tolerance

ability to withstand a certain environmental condition is termed

Abiotic & Biotic

Components of Ecosystem

sunlight

• Primary source of Energy

• Used for photosynthesis

water

Essential for all known forms of life and is the main constituent of Earth's hydrosphere and living organisms.

Temperature

Measure of hotness or coldness of the body, substance, and the environment.

Poikilotherms

Ectotherms - cold blooded

Homeotherms

Endotherms - warm blooded

nitrogen

atmospheric gases - 75%

oxygen

atmospheric gases - 21%

carbon dioxide

atmospheric gases - .04%

other gases (mostly argon)

atmospheric gases - 0.96%

wind

moving air

rocks and soil

solid mineral material forming part of the surface of the earth

chemical substance

a form of matter with a specific, constant chemical composition and distinct properties

periodic substances

Fires, Hurricanes, Tornadoes, Volcanic Eruptions

Trophic Structure

it represents the transfer of matter and energy occur between organisms or between organisms and the physical environment

Trophic Structure

Energy flow between organisms occurs in food chains, in which energy from food passes from one organism to the next in a sequence.

trophic level

Each level, or “link,” in a food chain

tropho

greek terms means nourishment

food web

a complex of interconnected food chains in an ecosystem.

sun

All food chains and webs start with the ultimate source of energy here on Earth.

Producers

called autotrophs (self-feeders), are organisms that can manufacture their own organic compounds that they use as sources of energy and nutrients.

green plants

Most producers are this that make organic nutrients by transforming energy from the sun into chemical energy through photosynthesis (photosynthetic organisms).

Chemosynthetic organisms

mostly bacteria, can extract inorganic compounds, such as hydrogen sulfide, from their environment and convert them to organic nutrients in the absence of sunlight through the process called chemosynthesis

Consumers

Organisms that get the nutrients and energy they require by feeding either directly or indirectly on producers. They are also called heterotrophs (“other-feeders”)

primary consumer

herbivores (plant-eaters) which feed directly and only on all or part of living plants

secondary consumers

primary carnivores (meat eaters), which feed only on plant- eating animals

tertiary and higer-level consumers

large carnivores or omnivores (plant and meat-eaters) that feed on primary and secondary consumers and/or producers

Detritivores

Heterotrophs that feed on detritus, or dead organic plant and animal matter.

Detritus feeders

ingest fragments of dead organisms and their cast-off parts and organic wastes. Examples are crabs, earthworms and clams.

Decomposers

absorb and endocytose the soluble nutrients at the cellular level. This saprophytic mode of nutrition is carried out by bacteria and fungi.