Ecosystems: Energy Flow and Matter Cycling Quiz

What process is primarily responsible for the cycling of matter and flow of energy within ecosystems?

• Erosion and deposition

• Evaporation and condensation

• Mitosis and meiosis

• Photosynthesis and respiration

How are components of a food web arranged?

• By geographic location

• According to energy flow

• By lifespan of organism

• By size of organism

What does an energy pyramid show?

• The types of energy sources

• The quantity of energy at each step

• The speed of energy flow

• The number of organisms at each level

Why is the cycling of major biochemical elements (C, O, N, P, and H) necessary?

• To ensure the survival of aquatic life

• To support photosynthesis and respiration

• To increase energy efficiency

• To maintain ecosystem diversity

Which of the following is not a major biochemical element that cycles through an ecosystem?

• Carbon (C)

• Oxygen (O)

• Iron (Fe)

• Nitrogen (N)

There are 4 types of heterotrophs. Match each with its description

•  gets energy from eating vegetation

• herbivore

• gets energy/nutrients from dead matter

• omnivore

• gets energy from eating meat and vegetation

• detritovore

• gets energy from eating meat

• carnivore

A ​ is an ​ (a)   organisms that can make its own food using the energy from the sun, while other organisms that feed off of other organisms for energy are ​ (b)  

• autotroph
• heterotrophs

Using ​ (a)   energy to convert ​ (b)   and water into carbohydrates is called ​ (c)   . The process of using ​ (d)   energy to produce carbohydrates from inorganic molecules in the absence of sunlight is called ​ (e)   .

• solar
• carbon dioxide
• photosynthesis
• chemical
• chemosynthesis

Match the following

• consumer

• organisms which capture energy from nonliving sources and converts it into forms living cells can use

• producer

• organisms that rely on other organisms for energy and nutrients

• heterotroph

• organisms which acquire energy from other organisms, usually by eating them

• autotroph

• organisms which produce energy-rich compounds that can be used later by other organisms

12.C

The flow of energy in a grassland ecosystem is shown. Based on the diagram, which TWO populations best represent trophic levels that receive the LEAST amount of the total energy provided to the ecosystem by the grass?