Front

What is energy flow in ecosystems?

Back

Energy flow in ecosystems refers to the transfer of energy from one organism to another through food chains and food webs, starting from producers to various levels of consumers.

Front

What are producers in an ecosystem?

Back

Producers, or autotrophs, are organisms that can produce their own food through photosynthesis or chemosynthesis, such as plants and some bacteria.

Front

What are consumers in an ecosystem?

Back

Consumers, or heterotrophs, are organisms that cannot produce their own food and must consume other organisms for energy, including herbivores, carnivores, and omnivores.

Front

What is the difference between ectotherms and endotherms?

Back

Ectotherms are organisms that rely on external environmental conditions to regulate their body temperature (e.g., reptiles), while endotherms generate their own heat to maintain a constant body temperature (e.g., mammals).

Front

How does temperature affect oxygen consumption in organisms?

Back

At cooler temperatures, endotherms have a higher oxygen consumption compared to ectotherms due to their metabolic processes that require more energy to maintain body temperature.

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What is net energy loss in an ecosystem?

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Net energy loss in an ecosystem occurs when the energy available to consumers is less than the energy they consume, leading to loss of mass and potential death.

Front

Do plants require oxygen?

Back

True, plants require oxygen for cellular respiration, which is essential for energy production.

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What is the role of decomposers in energy flow?

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Decomposers break down dead organic matter, recycling nutrients back into the ecosystem and contributing to energy flow by returning energy to the soil.

Front

What is the significance of the high heat of vaporization of water?

Back

The high heat of vaporization of water allows organisms to cool down through processes like sweating, as it requires a significant amount of energy to convert water from liquid to vapor.

Front

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, starting with a producer and ending with a top predator.