Energy Flow Through Ecosystems quiz #2 Flashcards
Energy Flow Through Ecosystems quiz #2
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What do decomposers leave behind after getting their energy?
Decomposers leave behind nutrients and organic matter that can be reused by primary producers in the ecosystem. Which of these is the primary source of energy in an ecosystem? A) The Sun B) Decomposers C) Consumers D) Producers
A) The Sun How do food chains and food webs show how energy is transferred between organisms?
Food chains and food webs illustrate the flow of energy from one organism to another, starting with primary producers and moving through various consumer levels. Which organisms have the most energy available to them?
Primary producers have the most energy available to them as they capture energy directly from the sun. How does energy move through an ecosystem?
Energy moves through an ecosystem in a one-way flow from primary producers to various levels of consumers and finally to decomposers. Which three statements are true about the energy flow in an ecosystem? A) Energy is recycled B) Energy flows in one direction C) Energy is lost as heat D) Energy is stored indefinitely
B) Energy flows in one direction, C) Energy is lost as heat What is the role of a consumer in the flow of energy through a food chain?
Consumers obtain energy by feeding on other organisms, transferring energy from one trophic level to the next. What is an explanation of why producers are always found at the lowest trophic level?
Producers are at the lowest trophic level because they capture energy directly from the sun and convert it into biomass, which is the foundation for all other trophic levels. What is the first step in energy flow through an ecosystem?
The first step in energy flow through an ecosystem is the capture of solar energy by primary producers through photosynthesis. What is the original source of almost all the energy in most ecosystems?
The original source of almost all the energy in most ecosystems is the Sun. Which of the following organisms in the soil food chain does not obtain energy directly from plants? A) Herbivores B) Carnivores C) Decomposers D) Omnivores
B) Carnivores How does energy first enter a pond ecosystem?
Energy first enters a pond ecosystem through photosynthesis by aquatic plants and algae, which capture solar energy. How do decomposers convert energy for an ecosystem?
Decomposers convert energy by breaking down dead organic matter, releasing nutrients back into the ecosystem for use by primary producers. How much energy is lost by primary producers as respiration in this ecosystem?
The amount of energy lost by primary producers as respiration is the difference between gross primary productivity and net primary productivity. Which of the following is in trophic level 1? A) Herbivores B) Carnivores C) Primary Producers D) Decomposers
C) Primary Producers What direction is the movement of the energy in a food web?
The movement of energy in a food web is unidirectional, flowing from producers to various levels of consumers. What is true about energy transfer in communities?
Energy transfer in communities is inefficient, with a significant portion lost as heat at each trophic level. How is energy transferred between trophic levels in a food chain?
Energy is transferred between trophic levels in a food chain through consumption, where organisms at one level consume those at the level below. What is one way in which the movement of energy and chemicals differ in an ecosystem?
Energy flows in one direction and is eventually lost as heat, while chemicals are recycled within the ecosystem. Which statement is true about energy in an ecosystem? A) Energy is recycled B) Energy is lost as heat C) Energy is stored indefinitely D) Energy flows in a cycle
B) Energy is lost as heat How is the majority of energy within an ecosystem lost?
The majority of energy within an ecosystem is lost as heat during metabolic processes. What is an energy source for the producers in an ecosystem?
The energy source for producers in an ecosystem is sunlight, which they use for photosynthesis. What percentage of energy is transferred from one trophic level to the next?
Approximately 10% of energy is transferred from one trophic level to the next. Why is a food chain the simplest model of energy flow between trophic levels in an ecosystem?
A food chain is the simplest model because it represents a linear sequence of energy transfer from one organism to the next. What is gross primary productivity (GPP) in an ecosystem?
Gross primary productivity (GPP) is the total amount of energy captured by primary producers from sunlight through photosynthesis. What is assimilated energy (AE) in the context of energy flow through ecosystems?
Assimilated energy (AE) is the portion of gross productivity that is actually utilized by an organism for cellular respiration and biomass production. What does net primary productivity (NPP) represent?
Net primary productivity (NPP) represents the amount of energy available in primary producers for growth and reproduction after accounting for respiration. Why is GPP approximately equal to AE for primary producers but not for consumers?
For primary producers, GPP is approximately equal to AE because they produce little waste, while consumers lose significant energy as waste and heat, making AE less than GCP. How is net production efficiency (NPE) defined?
Net production efficiency (NPE) is the percentage of assimilated energy that is converted into new biomass by an organism. What does a high NPE value indicate about an organism?
A high NPE value indicates that an organism efficiently converts assimilated energy into biomass, with less energy lost to respiration. How is trophic efficiency (TE) calculated?
TE is calculated by dividing the net productivity of the current trophic level by the net productivity of the previous trophic level and multiplying by 100%. What is the main difference between NPE and TE?
NPE measures how efficiently an organism converts assimilated energy into its own biomass, while TE measures energy transfer efficiency between trophic levels. What happens to the energy that is not assimilated by consumers?
Energy not assimilated by consumers is lost as waste and heat. What is the role of respiration in energy flow through ecosystems?
Respiration uses assimilated energy for metabolic processes, reducing the amount of energy available for biomass production. Why is the energy available to higher trophic levels less than the energy captured by primary producers?
Energy is lost at each trophic level due to waste, heat, and respiration, so less energy is available to higher trophic levels. How does the energy lost as heat affect the efficiency of energy transfer in ecosystems?
Energy lost as heat reduces the efficiency of energy transfer, limiting the amount of energy passed to the next trophic level. How does the metabolic demand of an organism influence its NPE?
Organisms with higher metabolic demands use more assimilated energy for respiration, resulting in a lower NPE. Why do primary producers have a higher NPE compared to consumers?
Primary producers often have higher NPE because they use a larger proportion of assimilated energy for biomass production and less for respiration compared to consumers. How does the concept of secondary productivity relate to consumers?
Secondary productivity, or net consumer productivity, refers to the rate at which consumers convert assimilated energy into new biomass. How does energy flow differ between autotrophs and heterotrophs?
Autotrophs capture energy directly from the sun (GPP), while heterotrophs obtain energy by consuming other organisms (GCP), with different efficiencies and losses.
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