Energy and Matter Exchange in the Biosphere

Flashcards about Energy and Matter Exchange in the Biosphere.

Chemosynthesis

The synthesis of organic compounds by bacteria or other living organisms using energy derived from reactions involving inorganic chemicals, typically in the absence of sunlight.

Laws of Thermodynamics

These laws govern the flow of energy in ecosystems, with energy transformations never being 100% efficient, resulting in heat loss at each transfer.

Autotroph

An organism that produces its own food through photosynthesis or chemosynthesis.

Heterotroph

An organism that consumes other organisms for energy.

Decomposer

An organism, especially a soil bacterium, fungus, or invertebrate, that decomposes organic material.

Rule of 10

Only about 10% of the energy from one trophic level is transferred to the next; the rest is lost as heat.

Trophic levels

The feeding positions in a food chain or web (e.g., primary consumer, secondary consumer).

Organic

Contains carbon and is usually associated with living organisms.

Inorganic

Does not contain carbon or is not associated with living organisms.

Ecological pyramids

Graphical representation of ecological data such as numbers, biomass, or energy for different trophic levels.

Biomagnification

The increasing concentration of a substance, such as a toxic chemical, in the tissues of organisms at successively higher levels in a food chain.

Carbon sinks

Areas that store more carbon than they release, such as forests and oceans.

Carbon sources

Areas that release more carbon than they store, such as burning fossil fuels.