Energy From Sunlight - Middle School Life Science
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What is a food web?
What is a food web?
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A network of interconnected food chains in an ecosystem. Shows multiple feeding relationships in nature.
A network of interconnected food chains in an ecosystem. Shows multiple feeding relationships in nature.
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What is a heterotroph (consumer) in an energy-transfer system?
What is a heterotroph (consumer) in an energy-transfer system?
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An organism that gets energy by eating other organisms. Must consume others because they can't produce their own food.
An organism that gets energy by eating other organisms. Must consume others because they can't produce their own food.
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What is an autotroph (producer) in an energy-transfer system?
What is an autotroph (producer) in an energy-transfer system?
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An organism that makes its own food from sunlight or chemicals. Self-feeders that don't depend on consuming others.
An organism that makes its own food from sunlight or chemicals. Self-feeders that don't depend on consuming others.
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What molecule do producers make to store captured solar energy during photosynthesis?
What molecule do producers make to store captured solar energy during photosynthesis?
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Glucose (sugar) stores chemical energy. Plants convert CO₂ and water into this energy-rich molecule.
Glucose (sugar) stores chemical energy. Plants convert CO₂ and water into this energy-rich molecule.
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What is a trophic level?
What is a trophic level?
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A feeding position in a food chain or food web. Each level represents organisms with similar energy sources.
A feeding position in a food chain or food web. Each level represents organisms with similar energy sources.
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What is a decomposer, and what does it do to energy stored in dead organisms?
What is a decomposer, and what does it do to energy stored in dead organisms?
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A decomposer breaks down dead matter and uses its chemical energy. Recycles nutrients by extracting remaining energy.
A decomposer breaks down dead matter and uses its chemical energy. Recycles nutrients by extracting remaining energy.
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What is cellular respiration?
What is cellular respiration?
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The process cells use to release energy from food molecules. Breaks glucose bonds to harvest ATP for cell work.
The process cells use to release energy from food molecules. Breaks glucose bonds to harvest ATP for cell work.
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Which direction do arrows point in a food chain: toward the eater or toward the organism being eaten?
Which direction do arrows point in a food chain: toward the eater or toward the organism being eaten?
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Toward the eater (the organism receiving energy). Shows energy flow direction, not who eats whom.
Toward the eater (the organism receiving energy). Shows energy flow direction, not who eats whom.
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What energy-carrying molecule is produced for cell work during cellular respiration?
What energy-carrying molecule is produced for cell work during cellular respiration?
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ATP. The universal energy currency of cells.
ATP. The universal energy currency of cells.
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What gas is released as a product of photosynthesis?
What gas is released as a product of photosynthesis?
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Oxygen ($O_2$). Byproduct from splitting water during light reactions.
Oxygen ($O_2$). Byproduct from splitting water during light reactions.
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What process captures energy from sunlight and stores it as chemical energy in glucose?
What process captures energy from sunlight and stores it as chemical energy in glucose?
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Photosynthesis. Converts light energy into chemical bonds in sugar molecules.
Photosynthesis. Converts light energy into chemical bonds in sugar molecules.
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What term describes the path of energy transfer from one organism to another by eating?
What term describes the path of energy transfer from one organism to another by eating?
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Food chain. Linear sequence showing who eats whom in an ecosystem.
Food chain. Linear sequence showing who eats whom in an ecosystem.
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What term describes many interconnected food chains in an ecosystem?
What term describes many interconnected food chains in an ecosystem?
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Food web. Shows complex feeding relationships between organisms.
Food web. Shows complex feeding relationships between organisms.
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What are decomposers, and what is their role in energy transfer through ecosystems?
What are decomposers, and what is their role in energy transfer through ecosystems?
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Organisms that break down dead matter and obtain energy. Recycle nutrients by breaking down organic matter.
Organisms that break down dead matter and obtain energy. Recycle nutrients by breaking down organic matter.
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Which trophic level eats producers directly: primary consumers or secondary consumers?
Which trophic level eats producers directly: primary consumers or secondary consumers?
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Primary consumers. Herbivores that feed directly on plants or algae.
Primary consumers. Herbivores that feed directly on plants or algae.
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Which level is always first in a food chain: producers or consumers?
Which level is always first in a food chain: producers or consumers?
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Producers. They capture sunlight energy that feeds all other levels.
Producers. They capture sunlight energy that feeds all other levels.
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What molecule is the main immediate energy currency used by cells?
What molecule is the main immediate energy currency used by cells?
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ATP. Adenosine triphosphate stores energy in phosphate bonds.
ATP. Adenosine triphosphate stores energy in phosphate bonds.
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What process releases usable energy from glucose in cells, including plants and animals?
What process releases usable energy from glucose in cells, including plants and animals?
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Cellular respiration. Breaks down glucose to release ATP for cellular work.
Cellular respiration. Breaks down glucose to release ATP for cellular work.
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What substance is used in photosynthesis and split to help release oxygen?
What substance is used in photosynthesis and split to help release oxygen?
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Water ($H_2O$). Provides electrons and hydrogen; splitting releases oxygen.
Water ($H_2O$). Provides electrons and hydrogen; splitting releases oxygen.
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What gas is taken in by plants during photosynthesis to build sugars?
What gas is taken in by plants during photosynthesis to build sugars?
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Carbon dioxide ($CO_2$). Provides carbon atoms to build glucose during Calvin cycle.
Carbon dioxide ($CO_2$). Provides carbon atoms to build glucose during Calvin cycle.
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Identify the correct energy flow direction: Sun → producer → consumer or consumer → producer → Sun?
Identify the correct energy flow direction: Sun → producer → consumer or consumer → producer → Sun?
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Sun → producer → consumer. Energy flows one-way from sun through organisms.
Sun → producer → consumer. Energy flows one-way from sun through organisms.
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Which is the best description of energy transfer when a rabbit eats grass: sunlight or chemical energy moves?
Which is the best description of energy transfer when a rabbit eats grass: sunlight or chemical energy moves?
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Chemical energy in food moves to the rabbit. Grass stores sunlight as chemical energy the rabbit uses.
Chemical energy in food moves to the rabbit. Grass stores sunlight as chemical energy the rabbit uses.
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What happens to most energy at each trophic level: it is recycled or released as heat?
What happens to most energy at each trophic level: it is recycled or released as heat?
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Most energy is released as heat. Only ~10% transfers up; 90% lost to metabolism and heat.
Most energy is released as heat. Only ~10% transfers up; 90% lost to metabolism and heat.
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What is the main energy-storing molecule produced by photosynthesis?
What is the main energy-storing molecule produced by photosynthesis?
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Glucose (sugar). Six-carbon sugar that stores energy from photosynthesis.
Glucose (sugar). Six-carbon sugar that stores energy from photosynthesis.
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What is the original source of energy for most food chains and food webs on Earth?
What is the original source of energy for most food chains and food webs on Earth?
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The Sun. Provides light energy that drives photosynthesis in producers.
The Sun. Provides light energy that drives photosynthesis in producers.
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