Interpret Matter and Energy Cycles - Biology

About $10%$ transfer to the next trophic level. Rule of thumb for energy transfer efficiency in food chains.

Phosphate settling and forming sediments/rock over time. Phosphate removal from water through particle settling forms future rock deposits.

Energy is transformed, not created or destroyed. First law of thermodynamics applied to ecosystem energy flow and transformations.

Direction of matter transfer between reservoirs. Shows movement of matter from one storage pool to another in the cycle.

Direction of energy transfer between trophic levels. Indicates energy transfer from one feeding level to the next higher level.

$6CO_2 + 6H_2O \rightarrow C_6H_{12}O_6 + 6O_2$. Light energy converts six molecules each of $CO_2$ and water into glucose.

$C_6H_{12}O_6 + 6O_2 \rightarrow 6CO_2 + 6H_2O$. Glucose is oxidized using oxygen to release energy, water, and $CO_2$.

A reservoir where matter is stored. Represents locations where matter accumulates and is temporarily stored.

Decomposition by decomposers. Microorganisms break down dead tissue, converting it to stable soil carbon.

Burning biomass or fossil fuels releasing $CO_2$. Chemical reaction that rapidly oxidizes carbon compounds, releasing stored carbon.

Sedimentary rocks and marine sediments. Geological formations store carbon for millions of years as calcium carbonate.

Relative magnitude of the flux or transfer rate. Thicker arrows represent faster or larger magnitude transfers between pools.

Reservoir stores matter; flux is the transfer between stores. Static storage versus dynamic movement distinguishes these diagram components.

Atoms are rearranged; total matter is conserved. Fundamental principle that atoms cannot be created or destroyed in chemical reactions.

Weathering and erosion. Physical and chemical breakdown of rocks releases phosphate into the environment.

Phosphorus does not have a common gaseous form. Phosphorus compounds are not volatile, limiting atmospheric transport mechanisms.

Photosynthesis. Plants use light energy to convert atmospheric carbon dioxide into glucose.

Cellular respiration. Organisms break down glucose using oxygen, releasing carbon dioxide as waste.

Conversion of inorganic $CO_2$ into organic molecules. Process that incorporates atmospheric $CO_2$ into organic biomolecules.

Producers fixing $CO_2$ during photosynthesis. Primary producers capture atmospheric $CO_2$ and make it available to consumers.

Water vapor loss from plant leaves. Plants release water vapor through leaf pores during gas exchange.

$1000\ \text{kJ}$. Apply 10% efficiency rule: $10{,}000 \times 0.10 = 1000$ kJ transferred.

$800$. Add respiration to net productivity: $500 + 300 = 800$.

$1200$. Subtract respiration from gross productivity: $2000 - 800 = 1200$.

The atmosphere as $N_2$. Vast atmospheric pool contains about 78% nitrogen as unreactive dinitrogen gas.

Energy stored as biomass after producer respiration. Energy remaining in plant biomass after subtracting metabolic energy costs.

$NPP = GPP - R$. Net productivity equals gross productivity minus respiratory energy losses.

recycled; flows one-way and dissipates as heat. Matter cycles through ecosystems while energy flows through and exits as heat.

Liquid water changing to water vapor. Heat energy causes water molecules to transition from liquid to gas phase.