Trace Matter and Energy - Middle School Life Science
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Which molecule is the main usable energy currency for cells?
Which molecule is the main usable energy currency for cells?
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ATP. Universal energy molecule that powers cellular processes.
ATP. Universal energy molecule that powers cellular processes.
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Identify the trophic level of grass in the chain: grass → rabbit → fox.
Identify the trophic level of grass in the chain: grass → rabbit → fox.
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Producer. First trophic level that makes food through photosynthesis.
Producer. First trophic level that makes food through photosynthesis.
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Which option best describes a food web compared with a food chain?
Which option best describes a food web compared with a food chain?
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A network of interconnected feeding relationships. Shows multiple pathways, unlike a single linear chain.
A network of interconnected feeding relationships. Shows multiple pathways, unlike a single linear chain.
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What term describes organisms that break down dead organisms and wastes into simpler substances?
What term describes organisms that break down dead organisms and wastes into simpler substances?
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Decomposers. Recycle nutrients by breaking down organic matter to inorganic forms.
Decomposers. Recycle nutrients by breaking down organic matter to inorganic forms.
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What happens to most energy at each trophic level in a food chain?
What happens to most energy at each trophic level in a food chain?
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It is lost as heat through life processes. Only ~10% transfers up; rest powers metabolism and movement.
It is lost as heat through life processes. Only ~10% transfers up; rest powers metabolism and movement.
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What is the key difference between how matter and energy move through ecosystems?
What is the key difference between how matter and energy move through ecosystems?
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Matter cycles; energy flows one-way and is lost as heat. Matter recycles between organisms; energy cannot be recycled.
Matter cycles; energy flows one-way and is lost as heat. Matter recycles between organisms; energy cannot be recycled.
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What is the main cellular process that releases usable energy from glucose?
What is the main cellular process that releases usable energy from glucose?
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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 is the correct word for an organism that gets energy by consuming other organisms?
What is the correct word for an organism that gets energy by consuming other organisms?
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Heterotroph (consumer). Must eat other organisms because they cannot produce their own food.
Heterotroph (consumer). Must eat other organisms because they cannot produce their own food.
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What is the correct word for an organism that makes its own food from inorganic materials?
What is the correct word for an organism that makes its own food from inorganic materials?
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Autotroph (producer). Self-feeders that produce organic molecules from inorganic sources.
Autotroph (producer). Self-feeders that produce organic molecules from inorganic sources.
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What process do producers use to convert light energy into chemical energy in glucose?
What process do producers use to convert light energy into chemical energy in glucose?
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Photosynthesis. Converts light energy to chemical bonds in glucose molecules.
Photosynthesis. Converts light energy to chemical bonds in glucose molecules.
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What is the primary source of energy for most ecosystems on Earth?
What is the primary source of energy for most ecosystems on Earth?
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Sunlight (solar energy). Powers photosynthesis, starting the energy flow through all food chains.
Sunlight (solar energy). Powers photosynthesis, starting the energy flow through all food chains.
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Identify the trophic level of fox in the chain: grass → rabbit → fox.
Identify the trophic level of fox in the chain: grass → rabbit → fox.
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Secondary consumer. Carnivore that eats primary consumers.
Secondary consumer. Carnivore that eats primary consumers.
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What are the main products of photosynthesis?
What are the main products of photosynthesis?
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Glucose and $O_2$. Sugar stores energy; oxygen is released as byproduct.
Glucose and $O_2$. Sugar stores energy; oxygen is released as byproduct.
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What are the main reactants of photosynthesis?
What are the main reactants of photosynthesis?
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$CO_2$ and $H_2O$ (with light energy). Starting materials that combine to form glucose.
$CO_2$ and $H_2O$ (with light energy). Starting materials that combine to form glucose.
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Which statement is evidence that plants increase biomass by taking in matter from the air?
Which statement is evidence that plants increase biomass by taking in matter from the air?
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Plants take in $CO_2$ and build sugars and tissues. Carbon from air becomes plant mass through photosynthesis.
Plants take in $CO_2$ and build sugars and tissues. Carbon from air becomes plant mass through photosynthesis.
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What are the main reactants of cellular respiration?
What are the main reactants of cellular respiration?
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Glucose and $O_2$. Breaks down sugar using oxygen to release energy.
Glucose and $O_2$. Breaks down sugar using oxygen to release energy.
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Identify the trophic level of rabbit in the chain: grass → rabbit → fox.
Identify the trophic level of rabbit in the chain: grass → rabbit → fox.
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Primary consumer. Herbivore that directly eats producers.
Primary consumer. Herbivore that directly eats producers.
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What are the main products of cellular respiration?
What are the main products of cellular respiration?
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$CO_2$, $H_2O$, and ATP (plus heat). Releases stored energy as ATP while producing waste gases.
$CO_2$, $H_2O$, and ATP (plus heat). Releases stored energy as ATP while producing waste gases.
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Which option best traces matter in a carnivore: does it come from sunlight or from eaten organisms?
Which option best traces matter in a carnivore: does it come from sunlight or from eaten organisms?
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From eaten organisms (food becomes body matter). Matter transfers through food chains, not directly from sun.
From eaten organisms (food becomes body matter). Matter transfers through food chains, not directly from sun.
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Which direction do arrows point in a food chain: from eater to food, or from food to eater?
Which direction do arrows point in a food chain: from eater to food, or from food to eater?
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From food to eater (direction of energy transfer). Shows energy flow from source to recipient.
From food to eater (direction of energy transfer). Shows energy flow from source to recipient.
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Which evidence best supports that energy decreases at higher trophic levels: biomass or DNA similarity?
Which evidence best supports that energy decreases at higher trophic levels: biomass or DNA similarity?
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Biomass (or energy) pyramid data. Biomass decreases at each level due to energy loss as heat.
Biomass (or energy) pyramid data. Biomass decreases at each level due to energy loss as heat.
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If a food chain is grass → rabbit → fox, what is the rabbit’s trophic role?
If a food chain is grass → rabbit → fox, what is the rabbit’s trophic role?
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Primary consumer (herbivore). Eats producers (grass) and is eaten by secondary consumers.
Primary consumer (herbivore). Eats producers (grass) and is eaten by secondary consumers.
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If a plant contains carbon atoms, which molecule supplied most of that carbon?
If a plant contains carbon atoms, which molecule supplied most of that carbon?
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Carbon dioxide ($CO_2$) from the air. Plants absorb $CO_2$ during photosynthesis to build glucose.
Carbon dioxide ($CO_2$) from the air. Plants absorb $CO_2$ during photosynthesis to build glucose.
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Which trophic level contains organisms that make their own food?
Which trophic level contains organisms that make their own food?
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Producers (first trophic level). Only producers can convert inorganic matter into organic food.
Producers (first trophic level). Only producers can convert inorganic matter into organic food.
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What does ATP represent in cells when tracing energy through organisms?
What does ATP represent in cells when tracing energy through organisms?
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Usable chemical energy for cell work. ATP stores energy from food in a form cells can use immediately.
Usable chemical energy for cell work. ATP stores energy from food in a form cells can use immediately.
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