Respiration Relay
What is the main purpose of cellular respiration?
To release energy from glucose to make ATP.
What is ecosystem resilience?
The ability of an ecosystem to recover from disturbances.
What is the ultimate source of energy for almost all life on Earth?
The Sun.
Write the chemical equation for aerobic respiration.
C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂ → 6CO₂ + 6H₂O + ATP
What is primary succession and when does it occur?
The gradual development of an ecosystem starting from bare rock, such as after a volcanic eruption or glacier retreat.
How are photosynthesis and cellular respiration related?
Photosynthesis stores energy in glucose; respiration releases that energy from glucose.
Where in the cell does most respiration occur?
In the mitochondria.
What is secondary succession and how is it different from primary succession?
It occurs after a disturbance that doesn’t destroy soil (like a forest fire or hurricane). It happens faster because soil and some organisms remain.
Why are decomposers important in the cycling of matter and energy?
They break down dead organisms, returning nutrients to the soil for producers.
Compare aerobic and anaerobic respiration.
Aerobic uses oxygen and makes more ATP; anaerobic doesn’t use oxygen and makes less ATP.
Which typically takes longer—primary or secondary succession? Explain why.
Primary succession takes longer because it starts with no soil or living organisms.
How can a change in one trophic level affect other levels in a food web?
A decrease or increase in one population can cause ripple effects through the food web, changing population sizes at other levels.
Why do muscles feel sore after anaerobic respiration?
Lactic acid builds up as a byproduct of fermentation.
Describe how biodiversity changes over time during succession.
Biodiversity increases as pioneer species create soil, leading to grasses, shrubs, and eventually a stable climax community.
A wildfire destroys most vegetation in an area. Explain how photosynthesis, energy transfer, and succession will work together to restore the ecosystem over time.
Pioneer species begin photosynthesis to produce energy and rebuild soil, supporting higher trophic levels as secondary succession restores the ecosystem.