7.4 - 2 Flow of Energy in Ecosystems

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What is a nutrient?

Back

A substance that provides materials necessary for growth and the maintenance of life.

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What does 'aquatic' mean?

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Relating to the water; living in or near water or taking place in water.

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What is a food web?

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A complex network of feeding relationships among various organisms in an ecosystem.

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NGSS.MS-LS2-2

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What is the primary source of energy for ecosystems?

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The sun, which provides energy for producers through photosynthesis.

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What happens to energy as it moves from a producer to a top consumer?

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Most of the energy is lost, primarily as heat.

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What is photosynthesis?

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The process by which green plants and some other organisms use sunlight to synthesize foods with the help of chlorophyll.

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NGSS.MS-LS1-6

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How do plants contribute to the oxygen levels in the environment?

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Plants absorb sunlight to make food and release oxygen as a byproduct during photosynthesis.

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NGSS.MS-LS1-6

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What is a primary producer?

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An organism that produces its own food, typically through photosynthesis, and serves as a food source for other organisms.

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NGSS.MS-LS1-6

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What is a top consumer?

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An organism that is at the top of the food chain and has no natural predators.

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NGSS.MS-LS2-3

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What is the role of decomposers in an ecosystem?

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Decomposers break down dead organic material, returning nutrients to the soil.

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