module 3.2

What does the First Law of Thermodynamics state?

• Energy flows in multiple directions.

• Energy can be created and destroyed.

• Energy can only be converted from one form to another.

• Energy is always lost as heat.

What is the primary process by which plants convert sunlight into chemical energy?

• Chemosynthesis

• Respiration

• Photosynthesis

• Decomposition

What is the main reason energy transfer between trophic levels is inefficient?

• Energy is only transferred in food webs.

• Energy is stored in the soil.

• Energy is created during the process.

• Energy is always lost as heat.

What is biomagnification?

• The increase of energy at lower trophic levels.

• The increasing concentration of toxic substances in organisms.

• The process of photosynthesis in plants.

• The breakdown of organic matter by decomposers.

Which of the following elements is NOT one of the five most common elements in ecosystems?

• Carbon

• Hydrogen

• Oxygen

• Calcium

What role do decomposers play in an ecosystem?

• They increase the concentration of toxins in the food chain.

• They produce energy through photosynthesis.

• They break down dead organic matter and recycle nutrients.

• They consume other organisms for energy.

What is a food chain?

• A method of energy storage in plants.

• A cycle of nutrient recycling.

• A linear pathway of energy transfer.

• A complex network of interconnected food webs.

What happens to energy during transformations according to the Second Law of Thermodynamics?

• It is stored indefinitely.

• It is lost as heat, increasing entropy.

• It is completely conserved.

• It is doubled at each trophic level.

What is the primary source of energy for heterotrophs?

• Other organisms

• Decomposed matter

• Inorganic chemicals

• Sunlight

How do human activities like mining affect biogeochemical cycles?

• They have no significant impact.

• They promote energy conservation.

• They release excessive amounts of elements, causing pollution.

• They enhance nutrient availability.