C4.2 Transfers of energy and matter Flashcards
(39 cards)
Systems that exchange both energy and matter with their surroundings
Role of Sunlight in Ecosystems
The primary source of energy for most ecosystems
Food Chains
Models illustrating the flow of energy through a sequence of organisms
Food Webs
Complex models of interconnected food chains
Thermodynamics in Biology
Study of energy flows through biological systems
Decomposers
Organisms that break down dead matter, recycling essential nutrients
Autotrophs
Organisms that produce organic compounds from inorganic molecules using external energy sources
Heterotrophs
Organisms relying on consuming others for energy and nutrients
Photoautotrophs
Organisms that use light energy to synthesize organic compounds
Chemoautotrophs
Organisms obtaining energy through oxidation of inorganic compounds
Trophic Levels
Categories of organisms in a food chain based on their source of energy
Energy Pyramids
Representation of energy availability at each trophic level
Biomass
The total mass of organisms in a given area or volume
Energy Transfer
Movement of energy through trophic levels
Dietary Flexibility
Ability of organisms to occupy more than one trophic level
Inefficient Energy Conversion
Loss of energy during transfer between trophic levels
Metabolic Processes
Biological processes consuming energy
Heat Dissipation
Loss of energy as heat during energy conversion
Incomplete Consumption
Not all parts of prey are consumed, leading to energy loss
Inefficient Digestion
Inability to absorb all energy from consumed food
Primary Production
Rate at which producers like plants and algae accumulate carbon compounds in their biomass.
Secondary Production
Rate at which consumers assimilate carbon compounds into their biomass.
Net Primary Productivity (NPP)
Energy available to consumers after subtracting energy losses used by autotrophs for their metabolic processes
Photosynthesis
Process where autotrophs convert CO2 and water into glucose using sunlight.
