8.2: Energy Flow Through Ecosystems

How do endotherms maintain body temperature?

they use thermal energy generated by metabolism

ex: change in heart rate, muscular contractions(shivering)

How do ectotherms maintain body temperature?

they rely on behaviors

ex: moving in and out of the sun

What is metabolic rate?

the amount of energy expended by an animal over a specific amount of time

What is the relationship between metabolic rate and the size of the organism?

the smaller the animal, the higher the metabolic rate

What can a net gain in energy result in?

energy storage or growth

What can a net loss of energy result in?

loss of mass and possibly death

How energy-efficient are organisms that produce many offspring at a time(r-selected) and what kind of environment do they live in?

They are less energy efficient and are commonly found in unstable environments

How energy-efficient are organisms that produce few offspring at a time(K-selected) and what kind of environment do they live in?

They are more energy efficient and are commonly found in stable environments

What do changes in energy availability result in?

change in population size

What is a trophic level?

a position an organism occupies in a food chain

What do food chains show?

the direction of nutrient and energy transfer from one organism to another

What is a food web?

many interconnected food chains

How does population size change as you go up trophic levels?

it decreases

What are the two types of autotrophs?

1) photosynthetic

2) chemosynthetic

What is the difference between the two types of autotrophs?

photosynthetic organisms capture energy present in sunlight whilst chemosynthetic organisms capture energy from small inorganic molecules present in their environment with or without oxygen

Where do heterotrophs get energy?

from carbon compounds produced by other organisms