Energy Flow and Thermodynamics in Ecosystems

What does the first law of thermodynamics state about energy?

• Energy can be created and destroyed.

• Energy can be transferred and transformed but not created or destroyed.

• Energy flows in a circular path.

• Energy is always lost as heat.

How does the second law of thermodynamics relate to energy transformations?

• Energy transformations do not involve entropy.

• Energy transformations are always 100% efficient.

• Energy transformations decrease order and increase stability.

• Energy transformations increase order and stability.

In the Earth's energy budget, what does a wider arrow represent?

• A loss of energy.

• A cycle of energy.

• A larger amount of energy flow.

• A smaller amount of energy flow.

What happens to most of the solar energy that reaches Earth?

• It is used by plants for photosynthesis.

• It is absorbed by the atmosphere.

• It is reflected back into space.

• It is converted into chemical energy.

What percentage of solar energy is typically used by plants for photosynthesis?

• 10%

• 100%

• Less than 0.1%

• 50%

What is gross primary productivity (GPP)?

• The total energy available to consumers.

• The total energy lost as heat.

• The energy used by decomposers.

• The total photosynthesis occurring in an area.

How is net primary productivity (NPP) different from GPP?

• NPP includes energy lost as heat.

• NPP is the energy available to consumers after losses.

• NPP is the total energy absorbed by the atmosphere.

• NPP is the energy reflected by the Earth's surface.

What is net secondary productivity?

• The energy used by decomposers.

• The energy lost as heat in the atmosphere.

• The energy available to consumers after losses.

• The energy available to plants after losses.

How do decomposers contribute to energy flow in an ecosystem?

• They recycle energy back to the sun.

• They increase the energy available to plants.

• They store energy for future use.

• They break down waste and release energy as heat.

What is the main reason for energy loss in ecosystems?

• Energy is fully utilized by plants.

• Energy is lost as heat through respiration and waste.

• Energy is stored indefinitely.

• Energy cycles back to the sun.