Cycles of Matter
(Aligns with Q9) How does matter move within and between ecosystems? Explain using an example.
Matter moves through cycles like the carbon, water, and nitrogen cycles, transferring between the atmosphere, living organisms, water bodies, and the soil.
(Aligns with Q7) Describe the general flow of energy through a food chain, starting with primary producers.
Energy flows from primary producers to primary consumers, then to higher consumers.
(Aligns with Q6) What characteristic do all primary producers share regarding their role in an ecosystem?
Primary producers capture and convert energy from an external source.
(Aligns with Q5) What is the purpose of using ecological models to show the movement of elements like oxygen or carbon?
Ecological models show element cycles and processes like photosynthesis and respiration to illustrate element movement.
(Aligns with Q10) When water evaporates from the ocean, which Earth system does it move to, and what process is this part of?
Water moves to the atmosphere during evaporation, a part of the water cycle.
(Aligns with Q8) What does a pyramid of biomass represent, and how does the amount of biomass change from the bottom to the top?
A biomass pyramid shows the mass of living material at each level; biomass decreases as you move up the pyramid.
(Aligns with Q3) Identify and describe the types of organisms that share the same trophic level as herbivores like rabbits.
Herbivores like rabbits share their trophic level with other plant-eating animals, such as deer.
(Aligns with Q4) What does it mean for an organism to be part of multiple food chains in a food web? Provide an example.
An organism in multiple food chains interacts with various species. For example, raccoons eat fish, fruits, and small animals.
(Aligns with Q11) Name an element that participates in the carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus cycles. Explain its importance.
Oxygen is an essential element that participates in the carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus cycles. It is critical for life because it is involved in processes such as cellular respiration and photosynthesis, which support energy production in living organisms and maintain the balance of ecosystems.
(Aligns with Q7) Why does energy flow in only one direction in a food chain?
Energy flows in one direction because it is used up and lost as heat at each trophic level.
Describe how autotrophs are classified based on their energy source.
Autotrophs are classified as photosynthetic (sunlight) or chemosynthetic (chemical energy).
(Aligns with Q8) What information does a pyramid of biomass provide about an ecosystem?
A biomass pyramid shows the decreasing mass of living material from producers to top-level consumers.
(Aligns with Q5) What type of model would you create to show the movement and transformation of oxygen through different Earth systems? Explain your answer.
A biogeochemical cycle model would show the movement and transformation of oxygen, with arrows indicating processes such as photosynthesis and respiration.
(Aligns with Q8) Explain how the decrease in biomass from the bottom to the top of the pyramid impacts energy availability.
Energy decreases as it moves up trophic levels due to heat loss during metabolic processes.
(Aligns with Q1) Explain why a vegetable garden might produce fewer vegetables over time when planted in the same soil each year.
A vegetable garden depletes the soil's nitrogen if the same plot is used repeatedly without replenishing minerals.
(Aligns with Q4) How does the presence of organisms in multiple food chains support ecosystem stability?
Organisms in multiple food chains contribute to a stable ecosystem by providing alternative food sources.
(Aligns with Q12) Why might increasing the global rate of photosynthesis be an effective way to address rising levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide?
Increased photosynthesis absorbs more CO2, decreasing its levels in the atmosphere and helping combat climate change.
(Aligns with Q12) How does photosynthesis contribute to the energy flow in ecosystems?
Photosynthesis provides energy to producers, forming the base of the food chain.
(Aligns with Q2 and Q6) What is the difference between autotrophs that use sunlight and those that use chemical energy?
Photosynthetic autotrophs use sunlight, while chemosynthetic autotrophs use energy from chemicals.
(Aligns with Q12) How could changes in photosynthesis rates impact the global carbon cycle and climate?
Increased photosynthesis could remove more CO2 from the atmosphere, improving the carbon cycle and climate.