Chapter 3 Ecosystems

1. Diagram a simple food chain in a terrestrial food chain and an aquatic food chain.
Identify each organism by its specific trophic level.
2. Define entropy and briefly explain how it relates to the continual energy needs of
organisms.
3. Explain how the first and second laws of thermodynamics are applicable to the study
of ecosystems and energy.
4. Compare and contrast the processes of cellular respiration and photosynthesis. Be
sure to include balanced chemical equations as part of your answer.
5. Define and briefly explain the value or application of an energy flow pyramid (a/k/a
ecological pyramid). Draw sketches of two ecological pyramids and briefly explain
how they are different. Use quantitative units to support your answer.
6. Compare and contrast decomposer and detritivore and provide two examples.
Which category do these organisms belong in based on their means of obtaining
nourishment?
7. Discuss the contributions of saprotrophs, detritivores, and autotrophs to a balanced
ecosystem. Identify three representatives of each group in your discussion.
8. What is the difference between NPP and GPP? How do we calculate the NPP of an
ecosystem? Identify a region that has a high NPP and a low NPP, what factor(s)
account for this difference.
9. Explain how the Serengeti ecosystem offers a good example of trophic pyramid. In
your response, include the specific trophic levels and the concept of ecological
efficiency.
10. Briefly explain the meaning of the following: fishing (eating) down the food chain
provides the most energy.
11. Earths natural nitrogen cycle occurs in several steps. Describe all the chemical
transformations that occur in the natural nitrogen cycle and discuss the importance
of that transformation to an ecosystem.
12. Diagram the each of the remaining cycles (Sulfur, Water, Carbon)
13. List and briefly explain three ways in which human activities are impacting the
carbon cycle.
14. Identify the biotic components of each of the following nutrient cycles: carbon,
phosphorous, sulfur
15. Bacteria are key participants in the carbon and nitrogen biogeochemical cycles.
Briefly describe the role of bacteria in each.
16. Legumes ultimately aid in nitrogen fixation on land. How is nitrogen fixed in
aquatic ecosystems?
17. What is meant by the term nutrient sink? Name two sinks for carbon and two sinks
for nitrogen.
18. Distinguish between resistance and the resilience of an ecosystem. Give an
example of each.
19. Explain the Intermediate Disturbance Hypothesis and give an example.
20. Ecosystems provide many valuable services. Identify and explain each of the
services that an ecosystem provides.
21. Describe the Hubbard-Brook experiment. What was the goal of the study and what
was the outcome? Be specific and include the chemistry of the nutrient cycles in
your answer. Be sure to indicate how variables were isolated.