Topic 2.5 - The Functions and functioning of

Ecosystems

A producer makes organics molecules from simple non-organic chemicals using energy from its environment. Plants use light – Photo-autotrophsSome bacteria can use sulphur – Chemo-autotrophs

A decomposer breaks down dead organic material into smaller organic or inorganic compounds. Fungi and bacteria are decomposers.

Define Photosynthesis in terms of energy and material transfers and transformations:

Material Transfers : CO2 from the air to the leaf, H2O from the soil to the leaf, Glucose

from the leaf to other parts of the plant, O2 from the leaf to the air. Transformations : CO2 and H2O becomes Glucose and O2

Energy Transfers : Light energy from the sun to chlorophyll. Transformation : Light Energy to Chemical energy.

Feng Shui Newsletter - http://www.mynewsletterbuilder.com/ex/template_content_corner/ex110/images/water.jpg

Visible light is a mixture of wavelengths we call colours. We separate them into 7 colours. What are they?

Red , Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, Violet

http://quarknet.fnal.gov/quarknet-summer-research/QNET2010/Astronomy/em_spectrum.jpg

Green light is reflected from the leaf. Light energy is the energy source for photosynthesis. If only green light is shone it will all be reflected so there is no energy for the plant to make it’s food so it dies.

A carbohydrate is made from Carbon, Hydrogen and oxygen. Where does each of these atoms come from?

Carbon –

Hydrogen –

Oxygen –

From the Carbon dioxide in the Air,

From the water in the soil. The oxygen from the water is given off!

From the Carbon Dioxide in the air

Energy flows but Nutrients cycle

Nutrients

LightEnergy Heat

Energy

An Ecosystem

Biochemical cycles• All organic chemicals are part of cycles; they

will form parts of the air, the land, the sea and living organisms at different times and will pass from one storage to the others and back.

Sea

Organisms

Sediment

Land

Organisms

Soil

Rockssedimentation

Weathering

Rain water run off

Qu.1. What is precipitation?

Qu.2. Which 3 processes involve evaporation?

Qu.3. Where would there be condensation?

Qu.4. What effect would deforestation have on this cycle?

The Carbon cycle

• Look at this web site: http://carboncycle.aos.wisc.edu/• Read the page and test your knowledge with the game at he bottom:

http://www.uwsp.edu/cnr/wcee/keep/Resources/ccgame/background.htm

The nitrogen cycle

Rhizobium bacteria