Energy Transfer Notes

Ecology

The scientific study of interactions among organisms and their physical environment.

Biotic Factors

Living/biological influences on organisms, such as predators, prey, and food availability.

Abiotic Factors

Non-living influences on organisms, like soil, water, and temperature.

Ecosystem

All the biotic and abiotic factors in an area.

Photosynthesis

The process that allows organisms to harness the energy in sunlight.

Autotroph

Organisms that can produce their own organic molecules, also known as producers.

Photoautotrophs

Organisms that use light energy to produce organic molecules; examples include plants and algae.

Chemoautotrophs

Organisms that obtain energy through the oxidation of inorganic compounds, such as extremophiles.

Heterotroph

Organisms that cannot produce their own organic molecules and must obtain them from other organisms, also known as consumers.

Decomposers

Organisms that break down dead organisms and organic matter, extracting nutrients and energy from decaying matter.

Saprotrophs

Organisms that obtain organic nutrients from dead organisms through external digestion, such as fungi and bacteria.

Detritivores

Organisms that obtain nutrients from detritus using internal digestion, such as earthworms and snails.

Food Chain

A linear sequence showing the flow of energy and biomass through a community.

Food Web

An interconnected system of multiple food chains showing energy flow in an ecosystem.

10% Rule

Only 10% of the available energy at a lower trophic level is transferred to the next successive trophic level.

Energy Pyramid

A diagram representing the amount of energy available at each trophic level in an ecosystem.

Primary Productivity

The rate at which producers accumulate carbon compounds in their biomass, reflecting their efficiency in photosynthesis.

Gross Primary Productivity (GPP)

The total amount of energy captured as biomass by primary producers in an ecosystem.

Net Primary Productivity (NPP)

The energy available to consumers at higher trophic levels, calculated as NPP = GPP - R.

Secondary Productivity

The rate at which consumers accumulate carbon compounds as part of their own biomass.

Gross Secondary Productivity (GSP)

The total biomass assimilated by heterotrophs in an ecosystem.

Net Secondary Productivity (NSP)

The biomass that remains after accounting for respiratory losses, calculated as NSP = GSP - R.

Heat Dissipation

Heat produced as a byproduct of metabolic reactions, including cellular respiration.

Incomplete Consumption

The phenomenon where organisms do not fully consume all parts of their food, resulting in energy loss.

Inefficient Digestion

The inability to absorb 100% of the nutrients and energy from consumed food.

Use in Metabolic Processes

The energy expended by organisms to perform life functions, contributing to energy loss.

Inefficient Energy Conversion & Storage

The limited capability of organisms to store energy and nutrients.