ecoystems

• Food webs depict the transfer of matter and energy between interconnected food chains within an ecosystem.
• Symbiosis refers to the relationship between two different species living in the same area for a long period of time
• Anaerobic respiration is where there is little oxygen present, and our cells cannot provide us with enough energy
• Commensalistic relationships involve one organism benefiting while the other remains unaffected
• Mutualistic relationships benefit both organisms involved
• The three types of symbiotic relationships are mutualism, commensalism, and parasitism
• Mutualistic relationships are beneficial for both parties involved
• Parasitic relationships occur when one organism benefits at the expense of another
• Predation occurs when one animal kills and consumes another animal as its source of nutrition
• Competition involves individuals or groups competing for resources such as space, water, light, nutrients, etc.
• Trophic levels refer to the position of an organism in a food chain based on its role as a producer, consumer, or decomposer
• Detrivores include worms, flies, slugs or millipedes
• Decomposers break down dead organic matter into simpler forms that can be used by other organisms
• The energy pyramid shows how much biomass is available at different trophic levels
• Energy flow diagrams show where energy comes from and goes to within ecosystems
• “Photosynthesis uses up sunlight, carbon dioxide and water to produce oxygen and chemicals that are rich in energy, such as glucose. However this chemical reaction cannot occur without the presence of a green pigment, known as chlorophyll, which is found in parts of plant cells known as chloroplasts”
• Light intensity affects photosynthetic rate because more light means more energy absorbed so higher rates of photosynthesis
• Chlorophyll absorbs light energy from the sun and converts it into chemical energy stored in carbohydrates (glucose)
• Carbon dioxide concentration affects photosynthetic rate because more CO2 means more energy absorbed so higher rates of photosynthesis
• Temperature affects photosynthetic rate because warmer temperatures mean faster enzyme activity so higher rates of photosynthesis
• “The chemical reactions that occur continuously in the cells that release energy from nutrients are known as cellular respiration. The energy released by food is measured in kilojoules, or sometimes by the old English unit, calories. There are two kinds of cellular respiration called aerobic respiration, which requires oxygen, and anaerobic respiration, which occurs in the absence of oxygen. These reactions break down chemicals such as glucose, from the bloodstream, releasing energy to allow the cells throughout the body to carry out their function.