What Do You Know About Energy Flow in Ecology Flashcards

What do you know about ecology? Ecology is the study of living things, their relations to each other, and their environment. The flashcards prepared here will offer you a chance to understand the basics of ecology and which terms you will come across in your class. Read each carefully to understand each card and its contents. All the best!

19 cards   |   Total Attempts: 188
  

Cards In This Set

Front Back
Where does the energy for life processes come from?
Sunlight
How does energy flow through living systems?
Sun / inorganic compounds - Autotrophs (producers) - Heterotrophs (Consumers)
How efficient is the transfer of energy among organisms in an ecosystem?
Only 10% of energy from one trophic level is transferred to the next so some energy is being wasted
Autotroph
Can capture energy from the sun or chemicals to produce food
Producer
Things that make their own food. Autotrophs are in this category
Photosynthesis
Autotrophs use light energy to convert carbon dioxide/ water into oxygen and sugar/starches
Chemosynthesis
When organisms use chemical energy to produce carbohydrates
Heterotroph
Organisms that rely on other organisms for energy/food supply
Consumer
Things that take up energy, consume it not make it. This includes Heterotrophs
Herbivore
Obtain energy by only eating plants.
Carnivore
Obtain energy by only eating other animals.
Omnivore
Obtain energy by eating both plants and other animals
Detritivore
Feed on dead matter such as animal remains as well as plants to obtain energy.
Decomposer
Break down organic matter.
Food chain
A series of steps in which organisms transfer energy by eating and being eaten.