ecosystem are self-sustainting. it allows what?
it allows energy and matter to enter and exit
the ecosystem contains what?
abiotic and biotic factors
sunlight?
sunlight will be the first to enter the ecosystem, then will be converted into chemical energy by autotrophs
what are autotrophs?
organisms that can synthesize their own complexes, energy-rich, organic molecules from simple inorganic molecules
autotrophs exist in both?
prokaryotes and eukaryotes
photoautotrophs?
photoautotrophs utilize light to convert inorganic materials to organic
photoautotrophs can be both prokaryotes and eukaryotes. Give an example of each.
prokaryotes: blue green algae
eukaryotes: Chlorella Vurgaris
chemoautotrophs?
Chemoautotrophs oxidize inorganic chemicals to build their energy-rich compound
Chemoautotrophs are almost always prokaryotes. Give two examples.
Nitrobacter and sulfur bacteria
Chemical energy/organic molecules by autotrophs can be formed by;
Carbohydrates for energy supply and storage
Lipids for maintenance of membrane
Amino acids for protein synthesis
Organic bases for DNA replication
heterotrophs
organisms that must obtain complex organic compound from the bodies of other organisms (recently dead or alive)
distinguish between heterotrophs and autotrophs
Heterotrophs obtain their nutrition by ingesting and digesting other organisms while autotrophs make their own organic matter.
Autotrophs require inorganic molecules while heterotrophs require complex molecules.
Chemical energy from photosynthesis in autotrophs will be assimilated. Some can be oxidized to release energy. In heterotrophs?
Chemical energy from eating autotrophs will be converted into energy, through oxidation.
Both autotrophs and heterotrophs release this energy through?
cellular respiration
The energy released from carbon compounds by what is used in what?
the energy released from carbon compounds by respiration is used in metabolism and converted into heat.
How do nutrients get recycled?
Death of producers and consumers
Decomposition of dead organic molecules is done by decomposers, also including detritivores and saprotrophs.
decomposers digest organic molecules into inorganic molecules.
these inorganic molecules are returned into the soil
autotrophs will then reuptake these inorganic molecules