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In an ecosystem the reactions going on are chemical reactions, and the total weight of the substances involved remains constant. Matter is only destroyed in nuclear reactions such as the fission of uranium, which does not happen in a normal ecosystem. Energy is transformed though, for example the sun's energy is absorbed by plants making them grow.
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How is the movement if matter through the biosphere different from the flow of energy?
Unlike the one way flow of energy, matter is recycled within and between ecosystems.
What is the main difference between how matter and how energy move through ecosystems?
Matter cycles through ecosystems in a closed loop, as it is recycled among living organisms and the environment through processes like decomposition and nutrient uptake. In contrast, energy flows through ecosystems in a one-way direction, typically entering as sunlight, being converted into chemical energy by producers, and then moving up the food chain as consumers utilize it, ultimately dissipating as heat. This distinction underscores the sustainability of matter versus the linear nature of energy transfer.
How is matter and energy used in ecosystems?
Energy is described by a pyramid diagram (the ecological pyramid). There are 4 layers in the pyramid. The bottom layer is producers. They produce all the energy that goes up the pyramid. The second layer is the primary consumers, or herbivores, who eat the producers. Next, there is the secondary consumer layer, the organisms in it eat other consumers. Finally, there are tertiary consumers eat secondary and primary consumers.Note: as you go up the pyramid, the original energy from the level below it is reduced to 10% of the original energy from the level below it. The primary consumers get 10% of the energy the producers made, and so on, so the secondary consumers get 1% of the original energy, and the tertiary get 0.1% if the energy!See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ecological_pyramid for a picture of the ecological pyramid.
What is the ultimate source of energy for ecosystems?
The sun is the ultimate source of energy for almost all earth ecosystems.
In the biosphere matter energy flows in a linear fashion explain?
Everything is composed of matter. Matter is recycled over and over again. The same molecules that make my body came from the chicken that laid the eggs for my morning breakfast. Matter is transformed and combined in different ways, but it does not disappear, everything goes somewhere. This is the principle of conservation of matter. Atoms and molecules that make up matter. Matter is recycled. Energy causes movement and flows in a one-way path. With each use of energy, less is available. Energy is not recyclable.
What are the most important transformers of energy in ecosystems?
The most important transformers of energy in ecosystems are producers (such as plants) that convert sunlight into chemical energy through photosynthesis, and decomposers (such as bacteria and fungi) that break down organic matter into simpler compounds and release nutrients back into the ecosystem. These transformers play crucial roles in the flow of energy through the food chain.
How is the movement of matter through the biosphere difference from the flow of energy?
Unlike the one way flow of energy, matter is recycled within and between ecosystems.
How does the way that matter flows through an ecosystem different from the way that energy flows?
Unlike the one way flow of energy, matter is recycled within and between ecosystems.
How is the movement if matter through the biosphere different from the flow of energy?
Unlike the one way flow of energy, matter is recycled within and between ecosystems.
How matter and energy move through an ecosystem?
Energy and matter (mass) move through ecosystems from the bottom of the pyramid to the top. The bottom contains most of the matter and therefore the most energy. About 10% is passed to the second level. About 10% of that 10% is passed to the third level. Most ecosystems have three levels as there is not enough energy for a fourth level. Except in tropical rainforest they are fourth levels but no where else.
What system can matter and energy enter and exit?
An open system allows matter and energy to enter and exit, making exchanges with its surroundings. This system is not isolated but interacts with its environment, enabling the transfer of both energy and matter. Examples include living organisms and ecosystems.
What is the main difference between how matter and how energy move through ecosystems?
Matter cycles through ecosystems in a closed loop, as it is recycled among living organisms and the environment through processes like decomposition and nutrient uptake. In contrast, energy flows through ecosystems in a one-way direction, typically entering as sunlight, being converted into chemical energy by producers, and then moving up the food chain as consumers utilize it, ultimately dissipating as heat. This distinction underscores the sustainability of matter versus the linear nature of energy transfer.
How is the cycle of matter different from the flow of energy?
The cycle of matter involves the recycling of elements like carbon and nitrogen through processes such as photosynthesis and decomposition. In contrast, the flow of energy involves the transfer of energy through ecosystems via sunlight and the feeding relationships between organisms. While matter is recycled, energy flows in one direction, entering ecosystems through sunlight and eventually being lost as heat.
What is an example of another analogy The could be used to show the relationship between energy and the cycles of matter?
Energy and matter can be likened to a battery and a device: energy powers the device (matter) through cycles of use and recharge. Just as the battery provides the necessary energy for the device to function, energy fuels the cycles of matter in various processes such as photosynthesis, metabolism, and decomposition in ecosystems.
What organism supplies matter and energy?
Plants, through the process of photosynthesis, supply matter and energy to most ecosystems by converting sunlight into chemical energy in the form of glucose. This energy is then transferred through the food chain as animals consume plants or other animals.
Does soil obtain energy?
Soil itself does not contain energy, but it plays a crucial role in the cycling and storage of energy within ecosystems. Soil microorganisms break down organic matter, releasing energy that is utilized by plants and other organisms. This process is essential for nutrient cycling and the overall functioning of ecosystems.
Is solar energy important to the nutrient cycle?
Solar energy is crucial for driving photosynthesis in plants, which is the primary source of organic matter production in ecosystems. This organic matter forms the basis of the nutrient cycle as it is consumed by other organisms and decomposed by microbes, releasing nutrients back into the environment. Therefore, solar energy is essential for sustaining the nutrient cycle in ecosystems.
