Download Energy flow in an ecosystem 8 November 2016 Three questions: 1

Energy flow in an ecosystem
8 November 2016
Three questions:
1. Where does energy come from?
2. How is energy transformed in an ecosystem?
3. How does energy move through ecosystem pools?
Question one: Where does energy come from?

Energy comes from _____________________________.
o
Through the process of ___________________________ plants absorb _____________________ and
convert it to _______________________ sequestered in the C-C and C-H bonds of sugar molecules.
Question two: How is energy transformed in an ecosystem?

The first transition is from ______________________ to _______________________ in plants through
______________________.

The second transition is when _______________, _____________________, and __________________ do
____________________________________ to convert __________________________ to _______________ or
_______________.


Chemical energy is transformed into motion energy when:
o
_________________ move in and out of cells to do biosynthesis
o
Organs and body parts move
Chemical energy is transformed into heat energy when:
o
________________________ occurs
o
________________________ happens
Question three: How does energy move through ecosystem pools?
Energy flow in an ecosystem
8 November 2016

Plants convert _________________ to ______________________ and store it in the C-C and C-H bonds of
organic molecules.

These __________________, organic molecules become part of the plant’s body (leaves, stem, and fruit)
through biosynthesis.

When plants are eaten by ____________________, those same high-energy, organic molecules move into the
herbivores and become part of their bodies through biosynthesis.

When __________________ are eaten by ___________________, the high-energy organic molecules move into
the carnivores and become part of their bodies through biosynthesis.

Finally, when plants, herbivores, or carnivores die, the high-energy, organic molecules move into
________________ and become part of their bodies through biosynthesis.

A good rule to remember is:
o
When ____________________________ move through an ecosystem, so does the
_____________________ contained in the C-C and C-H bonds of those organic molecules
o
___________________ and ____________________ follow the same path!
When do matter and energy NOT follow the same path?

Energy and matter do not follow the same path when ________________________ is converted to
______________ as plants, animals, and decomposers do cellular respiration.

During this process, the C-C and C-H bonds in ___________________ are broken and low-energy C-O and H-O
bonds in __________________________ are formed, thereby releasing some of the chemical energy as
__________________________.

This heat energy is ___________________ from the ecosystem (and eventually radiates to _______________).
o
So, chemical energy follows _______________________ through an ecosystem.
o
When ________________ molecules are converted into __________________ heat energy leaves the
ecosystem while the inorganic molecules get recycled.