1.2 - Matter and Energy

Matter

Makes up everything; is composed of atoms; has mass and occupies space

Law of Conservation of Matter

Matter can’t be created or destroyed, only rearranged/transformed and transferred

Energy

The capacity to do work/cause a change; can take many forms

Laws of conservation of energy

First and second law of thermodynamics

First law of thermodynamics

Energy can’t be created or destroyed but can be transformed and transferred —> this is how heat moves

Second law of thermodynamics

With each transfer of energy, some is lost to the environment as heat (energy transfers aren’t 100% efficient)

Autotrophs

Producers; organisms that provide energy for themselves and obtain energy from nonliving things

Heterotrophs

Consumers; organisms that get energy by breaking down other organisms

Decomposers

Organisms that secret chemicals and externally digest dead plant and animal matter to recycle nutrients for producers. They break down matter into the smallest bits

Detritivores

Organisms that physically eat dead animal and plant matter to break them down further

Reactants

The things going into a chemical reactionT

Products

The things coming out of a chemical reaction

Photosynthesis

A chemical reaction that transforms sunlight into usable forms of chemical energy for many autotrophs

Photosynthesis reactants

Carbon dioxide + water

Photosynthesis products

Glucose + oxygen

Cellular respiration

A process performed by all organisms to turn nutrients into usable energy.

Glucose + Oxygen —> Carbon dioxide + water + ATP

ATP

Usable chemical energy for organisms