Energy in Ecosystems
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52 Terms
Q: What is an ecosystem?
· A system of living (biotic) and non-living (abiotic) components interacting in an environment
Q: What are biotic factors?
Living or once
Q: What are abiotic factors?
Non-living
Q: How does energy move through an ecosystem?
Energy flows through food chains, but nutrients recycle.
Q: What is energy flow in an ecosystem?
The movement of energy through a food chain from the Sun to producers to consumers.
Q: What percentage of the Sun's energy is used by organisms?
Only 10% is transferred, and 90% is lost as heat.
Q: Why is the Sun important in ecosystems?
The Sun is the ultimate energy source; it provides energy for producers (plants & algae) through photosynthesis.
Q: What is a producer (autotroph)?
An organism that makes its own food (e.g., plants, algae).
Q: What is a consumer (heterotroph)?
An organism that eats other organisms for energy (e.g., humans, wolves).
Q: What is a primary consumer?
An herbivore that eats plants (e.g., rabbit, deer).
Q: What is a secondary consumer?
A carnivore or omnivore that eats herbivores (e.g., snake, fox).
Q: What is a tertiary consumer?
A top predator that eats secondary consumers (e.g., hawk, wolf).
Q: What is an omnivore?
An organism that eats both plants and animals (e.g., humans, bears).
Q: What is an herbivore?
An organism that only eats plants (e.g., rabbits, deer).
Q: What is a carnivore?
An organism that only eats meat (e.g., lions, hawks).
Q: What is decomposition?
The breakdown of dead matter into nutrients.
Q: Give an example of decomposition.
A fallen tree rots as fungi break it down, returning nutrients to the soil.
Q: What is biodegradation?
The natural breakdown of materials (organic or synthetic) by bacteria.
Q: Give an example of biodegradation.
Bacteria breaking down a plastic bag or a banana peel over time.
Q: What are decomposers?
Organisms that break down organic material (e.g., fungi, bacteria).
Q: What are detritivores?
A type of decomposer that eats dead plants & animals (e.g., earthworms, beetles, crabs, millipedes).
Q: What is the role of decomposers?
They return nutrients to the soil and help cycle carbon & nitrogen.
Q: What is a food chain?
A simple linear sequence of energy transfer.
Q: Give an example of a food chain.
Grass → Rabbit → Fox
Q: What is a food web?
A complex network of food chains that shows multiple feeding relationships.
Q: Why are food webs more realistic than food chains?
Organisms eat more than one thing, so food webs better represent ecosystems.
Q: What are trophic levels?
Steps in a food chain that show the transfer of energy.
Q: What is the 1st trophic level?
Producers (plants, algae) that make their own food.
Q: What is the 2nd trophic level?
Primary consumers (herbivores) that eat plants.
Q: What is the 3rd trophic level?
Secondary consumers (carnivores/omnivores) that eat herbivores.
Q: What is the 4th trophic level?
Tertiary consumers (top predators) that eat secondary consumers.
Q: What does a Pyramid of Numbers show?
The number of organisms at each trophic level.
Q: Give an example of a Pyramid of Numbers.
Many plants support fewer herbivores, which support even fewer predators.
Q: What does a Pyramid of Biomass show?
The total dry mass of all organisms at each level.
Q: Give an example of a Pyramid of Biomass.
There is more plant biomass than herbivore biomass.
Q: What does a Pyramid of Energy show?
The energy available at each level.
Q: How much energy moves up each trophic level?
Only 10% moves up; 90% is lost as heat.
Q: Where do producers get their energy?
From the Sun through photosynthesis.
Q: Where do consumers get their energy?
By eating other organisms.
Q: What is the 10% Rule in energy transfer?
Only 10% of energy is passed to the next level; the rest is lost as heat, movement, and metabolism.
Q: What is the carbon cycle?
The movement of carbon between the atmosphere, organisms, and the Earth.
Q: How does carbon enter the atmosphere?
Respiration, decomposition, and burning fossil fuels.
Q: How do plants remove carbon from the atmosphere?
Through photosynthesis, which absorbs CO₂ and releases oxygen.
Q: What is the nitrogen cycle?
The movement of nitrogen through the air, soil, and living things.
Q: Why is nitrogen important?
It is needed for DNA and proteins in living things.
Q: What is bioaccumulation?
The buildup of toxins in an organism over time.
Q: What is biomagnification?
The increase in toxin concentration as it moves up the food chain.
Q: Give an example of biomagnification.
Mercury builds up in small fish → Bigger fish eat many small fish → Humans eat big fish → High mercury levels in humans.
Q: What is deforestation?
The cutting down of forests, which destroys habitats and increases CO₂ levels.
Q: How does climate change affect ecosystems?
It alters temperature, precipitation, and weather patterns, affecting food chains.
Q: How do humans contribute to climate change?
By burning fossil fuels and deforestation, releasing more CO₂ into the atmosphere.
Q: What are some solutions to climate change?
Using renewable energy, reducing fossil fuel use, and planting trees.
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