Untitled Flashcard Set

Diet that produces the most energy is…

Efficient with least loss of energy because of limited transfers.

Why is only heat lost as energy?

All forms of energy depend on motion and eventually all motion is reduced.

Carotenoids vs Xanthophylls

Xanthophylls are a subclass of carotenoids, having oxygen while carotenoids do not.

Eaters of tertiary consumers are called…

Quaternary consumers.

Photosynthesis produces…

ATP.

Chemosynthetic organisms convert…

Chemicals into energy versus light.

Characteristics of Archaea

Extremophiles with a unique cell membrane and are very hardy.

The 10% rule states that…

Only 10% of the organism's energy is transferred when it is eaten.

Meteors compared to Earth's mass

Compared to the mass of the Earth, it is minimal.

The biosphere includes…

All areas of the Earth that are inhabited by life.

Definition of ecosystem

A community and its physical and chemical environment.

Biotic vs Abiotic factors

Biotic refers to living components, while abiotic refers to non-living components.

Producers in an ecosystem capture…

The Sun's energy and convert it to chemical energy (glucose).

Autotrophs are…

Organisms that produce their own food by using energy sources.

Heterotrophs need to…

Consume other organisms to obtain energy.

Decomposers break down…

Dead organic material.

The hydrologic cycle includes…

Transpiration, precipitation, infiltration, evaporation, and leaching.

Buffering capacity refers to…

The ability of an area to withstand changes in pH.

The nitrogen cycle involves…

Nitrogen fixation, nitrification, denitrification, and ammonification.

The phosphorus cycle is unique because…

It does not cycle through the atmosphere.

What are invasive species?

Organisms that out-compete existing organisms in new environments.

Bioremediation is…

The use of wetlands and/or plants to clean polluted water.

The impact of human activity on the biosphere is…

It affects the transfer of energy and cycling of matter.