Energy & Matter Flow in the Carbon Cycle

What is the primary source of energy for ecosystems?

• Food

• Wind

• Sunlight

• Grass

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Some students are studying ecosystems in their science class. They came across the term 'food chain'. Can you help them understand what a food chain is?

• A food chain is a sequence of organisms that do not rely on each other for nutrients and energy.

• A food chain is a process where organisms produce their own food through photosynthesis.

• A food chain is a linear sequence of organisms through which nutrients and energy pass as one organism eats another. For example, in a forest ecosystem, a grasshopper eats grass, a frog eats the grasshopper, and a snake eats the frog.

• A food chain is a circular sequence of organisms where each organism eats the one before it.

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How do food chains and food webs differ?

• Food chains are linear while food webs are interconnected.

• Food chains and food webs are the same thing.

• Food chains are more complex than food webs.

• Food chains and food webs have no relationship.

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What are producers in an ecosystem?

• Organisms that do not play a role in food production.

• Organisms that consume other organisms for food.

• Organisms that can produce their own food through photosynthesis or chemosynthesis.

• Organisms that rely on other organisms for food.

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What is the difference between primary consumers and secondary consumers.

• Primary consumers are herbivores that feed directly on plants, while secondary consumers are carnivores that feed on primary consumers.

• Primary consumers are omnivores that feed on both plants and animals.

• Primary consumers are carnivores that feed on secondary consumers.

• Secondary consumers are herbivores that feed directly on plants.

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What role do decomposers play in the ecosystem?

• They produce energy through photosynthesis.

• They assist in the process of pollination.

• They regulate the ecosystem's temperature.

• They break down dead organic matter and recycle nutrients.

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Explain the concept of an energy pyramid.

• An energy pyramid represents the flow of energy in an ecosystem, showing the transfer of energy between trophic levels.

• An energy pyramid is a measurement of the total energy consumption in a given area.

• An energy pyramid is a structure used to harness and store energy from the sun.

• An energy pyramid is a graphical representation of the different types of energy sources in a country.

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What happens to energy as it moves up the energy pyramid?

• It decreases.

• It stays the same.

• It increases.

• It fluctuates.

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Describe the carbon cycle.

• The carbon cycle is the process by which carbon is exchanged between the atmosphere, land, oceans, and living organisms.

• The carbon cycle is the process by which carbon is exchanged between the atmosphere, land, oceans, and nitrogen.

• The carbon cycle is the process by which carbon is exchanged between the atmosphere, land, oceans, and non-living organisms.

• The carbon cycle is the process by which carbon is exchanged between the atmosphere, land, oceans, and water.

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What are the main sources of carbon dioxide in the carbon cycle?

• Volcanic eruptions, oceanic respiration, and photosynthesis

• Industrial processes, oceanic respiration, and photosynthesis

• Burning of fossil fuels, volcanic eruptions, and photosynthesis

• Burning of fossil fuels, deforestation, and decay of organic matter