Ecosystems

What is an ecosystem?

A group of organisms interacting with each other and the abiotic and biotic factors in the environment.

How does thermodynamics relate to ecosystems?

It helps us understand how energy flows through biological systems.

What are the three types of systems?

Open, closed, and isolated.

Open system

Energy and matter exchanged.

Closed system

Energy exchanges, matter restricted.

Isolated System

neither energy nor matter is exchanged.

Define matter.

Anything that occupies space and has mass.

Define energy.

The ability to perform work or cause change.

Why is sunlight important for ecosystems?

It is the initial source of energy for most food chains.

How do autotrophs use sunlight?

They convert light energy into chemical energy via photosynthesis.

Which organisms carry out photosynthesis?

Plants, eukaryotic algae, and cyanobacteria.

How do heterotrophs use sunlight?

Indirectly, by feeding on autotrophs.

How do ecosystems without sunlight get energy?

Rely on bacteria gaining energy from chemical processes.

How do caves receive energy?

From dead organic matter in streams or chemoautotroph bacteria using inorganic chemical reactions.

How does light penetrate water?

Shorter wavelengths penetrate further, but transmission is not 100%.

How do deep-sea ecosystems get energy?

Bacteria use sulphides from black smokers to synthesise glucose.