Energy & Matter
How does energy flow in an ecosystem?
Energy flow in one direction from producers to consumers.
What is the lowest trophic level in an energy pyramid?
Producers (or primary producers)
In evaporation, liquid water turns to gas and enters which sphere?
The atmosphere
What is ecology?
The study of interactions between organisms and their environment.
What are the sunlit and dark zones of the ocean called?
Photic and aphotic zones
What are the four spheres of the Earth?
Biosphere, geosphere (lithosphere), hydrosphere, atmosphere
What type of consumer eats both plants and animals?
Omnivore
What process converts carbon dioxide (CO2) into glucose during the carbon cycle?
Photosynthesis
What is the difference between weather and climate?
Weather is daily temperature and conditions; climate refers to long-term weather patterns
Photic zone!
What are the two processes used by autotrophs to get energy?
Photosynthesis and chemosynthesis
What are the three types of ecological pyramids?
Energy, biomass, numbers
What process converts nitrogen gas from the atmosphere (N2) into a form plants can use?
Nitrogen fixation
What biome(s) receive the least amount of rain?
Desert; tundra
What is the main primary producer in aquatic ecosystems?
Phytoplankton
What are the four most abundant elements in the human body?
What type of consumer breaks down dead organisms?
Decomposer
How is carbon stored in the geosphere?
Fossil fuels
What is the difference between biotic and abiotic factors?
Biotic is living and abiotic is nonliving
What is the role of azotobacter?
Nitrogen fixation!
Energy flows in one-direction; matter cycles.
What happens to biomass as the trophic level increases?
Biomass decreases!
What process converts nitrates (NO3-) into nitrogen gas (N2)?
Denitrification
List the ecological levels of organization IN ORDER.
Species (organism) -> population -> community -> ecosystem -> biome -> biosphere
What kind of organism are rotifers?
Zooplankton