Module 23 Study Questions
1.
The cell
is the basic unit of life. Biotic
up of cells, such as animals
of abiotic
2.
and people
factors are those that are made
. Water and rocks
are examples
factors.
The diagram below depicts a freshwater food web. Based on the diagram:
a. Identify the producers and all consumer levels
Producers – plants
Consumer – rabbit
b. Identify the decomposers
Bacteria
c. Identify all trophic levels
Decomposers, producers, consumers, predator
d. Describe how energy flows through this food chain beginning with energy from
the Sun
In photosynthesis, plants capture the suns energy and transform it into
sugar. The energy flows through the chain because of the energy being
obtained when things are eaten.
e. What roles do photosynthesis and cellular respiration play in the transfer of
energy?
Photosynthesis turns the suns energy to sugar and cellular respiration
produces energy from glucose.
Module 23 Ecosystems 1
"Trophic Levels" by Raquelarellanoleo is licensed under CC-BY-SA-3.0/ Modified from
Original by WGU
3.
Animals that feed on dead organic matter are called detritivores , while organisms
that absorb nutrients from dead material are called decomposers. A vulture and an
earthworm are examples of detritivores ,
while
bacteria
and
fungi
are
decomposers.
4.
Analyze the diagram below. What trend do you observe when energy flows from one
trophic level to another? Explain whether this is an efficient process or not.
90% of energy is lost at each trophic level. It is an efficient process because the loss of
energy is pretty much consistent at each trophic level.
Module 23 Ecosystems 2
“Ecological Pyramid” by Swiggity.Swag.YOLO.Bro is licensed under CC-BY-SA-4.0
5.
What is a biogeochemical cycle?
The pathway by which a chemical substance cycles the biotic and the abiotic compartments of
Earth.
6.
Water Cycle
Module 23 Ecosystems 3
“Water Cycle" by Nancygladstone is licensed under CC-BY-SA-4.0 / Modified from Original by
WGU
Associate the letters in the diagram with the terms below:
d
b
g
h
f
e
a
c
7.
Condensation
Evaporation
Ground storage and discharge
Incorporation into the biotic world
Infiltration
Precipitation
Solar Energy
Transpiration
What are the major abiotic reservoirs in the Water Cycle?
Air and oceans
Module 23 Ecosystems 4
8.
Describe two ways water can be incorporated into the biotic world?
Water can be used to help biotic plants grow
Water can be used to help sustain life
9.
Carbon Cycle
"Carbon Cycle" by AIRS is licensed under CC-BY 2.0 / Modified from original by WGU
Associate the letters in the diagram with the terms below:
f
a
c
d
b
d
10.
Burning of fossil fuels
Carbon in the atmosphere (CO2)
Cellular Respiration
Decomposition
Photosynthesis
Storage of fossil fuels
What are the major abiotic reservoirs in the Carbon Cycle?
Oceans and rocks
Module 23 Ecosystems 5
11.
What are the abiotic and biotic forms of carbon in this cycle?
Abiotic – The atmosphere
Biotic – All the living organisms
12. Nitrogen Cycle
"Nitrogen Cycle" by Hattiel is licensed under CC-BY-SA-3.0 / Modified from original by WGU
Associate the letters in the diagram with the terms below:
E
J
D
I
A
H
F
Ammonium (NH4+)
Decomposition
Denitrification
Denitrifying bacteria
N2 gas
Nitrate (NO3)
Nitrifying bacteria
Module 23 Ecosystems 6
B
G
C
Nitrogen fixation
Nitrogen fixing bacteria in root nodules of legumes
Nitrogen fixing bacteria in soil
13.
What are the major abiotic reservoirs in the Nitrogen Cycle?
Atmosphere and gas
14.
What is the most abundant form of abiotic Nitrogen? Why do living organisms depend
on bacteria to utilize nitrogen?
Bacteria. Plants depend on bacteria because it can enter the food chain and make its
way to the animals.
15.
Why do we say that energy flows, while we say that matter cycles?
Energy flows because no new energy is created, you can also see how the energy flows
from trophic level to trophic level. Matter is cycled because it maintains the matters in
the ecosystem.
FLASHBACK TO MODULES 10 & 11:
Diagram the flow of energy through the process of photosynthesis.
Module 23 Ecosystems 7
Diagram the flow of energy through the process of cellular respiration.
What roles do photosynthesis and cellular respiration play in the Carbon Cycle?
The carbon cycle is the pathways through which carbon is recycled in the biosphere. While
cellular respiration releases carbon dioxide in the environment, photosynthesis pulls carbon
dioxide out of the atmosphere.
Module 23 Ecosystems 8