Matter and Energy in Ecosystems Chapter 3

Front

What is matter?

Back

Matter is anything that has mass and takes up space. It can exist in different states, such as solid, liquid, and gas.

Front

What is energy in the context of ecosystems?

Back

Energy in ecosystems refers to the ability to do work, which is transferred through food chains and food webs, primarily from the sun to producers and then to consumers.

Front

What is a decomposer?

Back

A decomposer is an organism that breaks down dead matter and waste, returning nutrients to the soil and helping to recycle matter in the ecosystem.

Front

What are abiotic factors?

Back

Abiotic factors are the nonliving components of an ecosystem, such as air, water, soil, and temperature.

Front

What are biotic factors?

Back

Biotic factors are the living components of an ecosystem, including plants, animals, fungi, and microorganisms.

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What is a food chain?

Back

A food chain is a linear sequence that shows how energy and nutrients flow from one organism to another in an ecosystem.

Front

What is a food web?

Back

A food web is a complex network of interconnected food chains that illustrates how energy and nutrients circulate in an ecosystem.

Front

What role do producers play in an ecosystem?

Back

Producers, such as plants, convert sunlight into energy through photosynthesis, forming the base of the food chain.

Front

What happens to energy as it moves through an ecosystem?

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As energy moves through an ecosystem, it decreases at each trophic level due to energy loss as heat and through metabolic processes.

Front

What is the significance of decomposers in an ecosystem?

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Decomposers are crucial for nutrient cycling, breaking down dead organic matter and returning essential nutrients to the soil.