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Energy Transfers & Nutrient Cycles

A-Level AQA Biology

This pack of flashcards covers ecological concepts related to energy flow and nutrient cycles in ecosystems. Topics include the definitions and calculations of primary and secondary production, roles of organisms in food webs, the significance of nutrient cycles, and environmental impacts of agricultural practices such as fertilization and eutrophication.

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"Define the terms Gross Primary Production (GPP) and Net Primary Production (NPP)."	"Gross Primary Production (GPP) is the chemical energy stored in plant biomass, in a given area or volume. It is the total energy resulting from photosynthesis. Net Primary Production (NPP) is the chemical energy stored in plant biomass taking into account the energy that will be lost due to respiration (R)."
"How is the net production of consumers (N) calculated in an ecosystem?"	"The net production of consumers (N) is calculated using the formula: N = I – F + R, where I is the chemical energy stored in ingested food, F is the chemical energy lost to the environment in faeces and urine, and R is respiratory losses."
"Describe the role of plants in an ecosystem."	"In any ecosystem, plants are the producers in a food web as they are able to produce their own carbohydrates using carbon dioxide in the atmosphere or water. They form the basis of the food web and contribute to the biomass of the ecosystem."
"Explain why the units kJ ha–1 year–1 are used to record rates of productivity."	"kJ ha–1 year–1 is the unit for energy, but these units also include per unit area and per year. It is recorded as per unit area to standardize the results to enable environments to be compared- it takes into account that different environments will vary in size. The units are also per year to take into account the impact seasons will have on rain, light, and heat – it provides an annual average to allow fair comparisons between environments."
"How does the availability of water, light, warmth, and green plants affect an ecosystem's productivity?"	"Plenty of water, light, warmth, and green plants will maximize the rates of photosynthesis and therefore result in more carbohydrates being produced in the plants. This increases the ecosystem's productivity."
"What happens to the majority of energy between each trophic level in a food web?"	"Between each trophic level in a food web, the majority of the energy is lost due to respiration and excretion. The remaining energy is used to form the biomass."
"What is the significance of nutrient cycles in natural ecosystems?"	"Nutrient cycles are crucial in natural ecosystems as they facilitate the recycling of nutrients, as exemplified by the nitrogen cycle and the phosphorus cycle."
"Describe the role of mycorrhizae in the nutrient cycle."	"Mycorrhizae are fungal associations between plant roots and beneficial fungi. The fungi entwined around the plant roots provide a larger surface area for water and mineral absorption. They act like a sponge and can absorb and hold onto water and minerals surrounding the root. This is beneficial to the plant, especially in times of drought when the mycorrhizae store of water and minerals can be used. The plant, in turn, provides the fungi with carbohydrates, making this a mutualistic relationship."
"Define nitrogen-fixation and its role in the nitrogen cycle."	"Nitrogen-fixation is a process where nitrogen-fixing bacteria break the double bond between the two nitrogen atoms in nitrogen gas in the atmosphere and fix this nitrogen into ammonium ions. The bacteria are either free-living in the soil or live in a mutualistic relationship in the root nodules of plants, commonly in leguminous plants such as clover and beans."
"Explain the process of nitrification in the nitrogen cycle."	"Nitrification is a process where the ammonium ions in the soil are converted to nitrite and then nitrate ions in the soil by nitrifying bacteria. This is a two-stage oxidation reaction."
"What is denitrification and why is it not useful in the nitrogen cycle?"	"Denitrification is a stage in the nitrogen cycle where the nitrogen in compounds is returned back to nitrogen gas in the atmosphere by anaerobic denitrifying bacteria. This stage is not useful as the nitrogen gas cannot be absorbed by plants."
"Define ammonification and its role in the nitrogen cycle."	"Ammonification is a process where proteins, urea, and DNA can be decomposed in dead matter and waste by saprobionts. These are bacteria and fungi that can digest waste extracellularly, this is saprobiotic nutrition, and returns ammonium ions into the soil."
"How does the phosphorus cycle differ from the nitrogen and carbon cycles?"	"The phosphorus cycle is different from the nitrogen and carbon cycles because phosphorus is not found as a gas in the atmosphere. Instead, the main store of phosphorus is in sedimentary rocks."
"Describe the purpose of fertilisers in agriculture."	"Fertilisers are added to soil to replace the nutrients lost nitrate and phosphate ions when plants are harvested and removed from the cycle as crops. These fertilisers can be either natural (manure) or artificial fertilisers (inorganic chemicals)."
"Do natural and artificial fertilisers have different impacts on the environment?"	"Yes, artificial fertilisers are more water-soluble, and therefore more of these ions dissolve in the water surrounding the soil. Their high solubility means that larger quantities are washed away with rainfall and therefore have a greater impact on the environment."
"Define the term 'leaching' in the context of agriculture."	"Leaching is when water-soluble compounds are washed away, often into rivers or ponds. If nitrogen fertilisers leach into waterways it causes eutrophication."
"How does eutrophication affect aquatic ecosystems?"	"Eutrophication is when nitrates leached from fertilised fields stimulate the growth of algae in a pond. The excessive growth of algae creates a blanket on the surface of the water which blocks out light. As a result, plants below cannot photosynthesize and die. Bacteria within the water feed and respire on the dead plant matter, using up the oxygen within the water. Eventually, fish and other aquatic organisms die due to the lack of dissolved oxygen in the water."
"How could a food web be simplified and why might a farmer want to do this?"	"A food web could be simplified by reducing the number of trophic levels. A farmer might want to do this to reduce wasted energy."
"Define 'gross primary productivity' (GPP)."	"Gross primary productivity (GPP) is the total amount of energy captured by plants through photosynthesis."
"Define 'net primary productivity' (NPP)."	"Net primary productivity (NPP) is the amount of energy left over after plants have used some for their own metabolic processes."
"How is energy lost between trophic levels in a food chain?"	"Energy is lost between trophic levels through respiration, and in the form of faeces and urine."

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Define the terms Gross Primary Production (GPP) and Net Primary Production (NPP).

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Gross Primary Production (GPP) is the chemical energy stored in plant biomass, in a given area or volume. It is the total energy resulting from photosynthesis. Net Primary Production (NPP) is the chemical energy stored in plant biomass taking into account the energy that will be lost due to respiration (R).

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[{"id":1330555,"front":"Define the terms Gross Primary Production (GPP) and Net Primary Production (NPP).","back":"Gross Primary Production (GPP) is the chemical energy stored in plant biomass, in a given area or volume. It is the total energy resulting from photosynthesis. Net Primary Production (NPP) is the chemical energy stored in plant biomass taking into account the energy that will be lost due to respiration (R).","front_language":"English","back_language":"English","front_image":"","back_image":"","order":0,"explanation":"Gross Primary Production (GPP) represents the total energy captured by plants through photosynthesis, stored in their biomass. Net Primary Production (NPP) is the energy remaining after subtracting the amount used by plants for respiration from the GPP, indicating the actual energy available for higher trophic levels.","deleted_at":null,"flashcard_deck_id":"7XuE6","original_id":null,"examMode":{"text":"","correct":"","incorrect":"","info":""}},{"id":1330561,"front":"How is the net production of consumers (N) calculated in an ecosystem?","back":"The net production of consumers (N) is calculated using the formula: N = I – F + R, where I is the chemical energy stored in ingested food, F is the chemical energy lost to the environment in faeces and urine, and R is respiratory losses.","front_language":"English","back_language":"English","front_image":"","back_image":"","order":0,"explanation":"The net production of consumers (N) in an ecosystem is determined by considering the energy gained from ingested food (I), subtracting energy lost through waste (F), and accounting for respiratory losses (R). This formula helps quantify the overall energy efficiency within the ecosystem.","deleted_at":null,"flashcard_deck_id":"7XuE6","original_id":null,"examMode":{"text":"","correct":"","incorrect":"","info":""}},{"id":1330569,"front":"Describe the role of plants in an ecosystem.","back":"In any ecosystem, plants are the producers in a food web as they are able to produce their own carbohydrates using carbon dioxide in the atmosphere or water. They form the basis of the food web and contribute to the biomass of the ecosystem.","front_language":"English","back_language":"English","front_image":"","back_image":"","order":0,"explanation":"Plants play a crucial role in ecosystems as primary producers, converting sunlight into energy through photosynthesis. They form the base of the food web, providing energy and nutrients for other organisms. Additionally, they contribute to the overall biomass and help regulate the environment through processes like carbon sequestration and oxygen production.","deleted_at":null,"flashcard_deck_id":"7XuE6","original_id":null,"examMode":{"text":"","correct":"","incorrect":"","info":""}},{"id":1330585,"front":"Explain why the units kJ ha–1 year–1 are used to record rates of productivity.","back":"kJ ha–1 year–1 is the unit for energy, but these units also include per unit area and per year. It is recorded as per unit area to standardize the results to enable environments to be compared- it takes into account that different environments will vary in size. The units are also per year to take into account the impact seasons will have on rain, light, and heat – it provides an annual average to allow fair comparisons between environments.","front_language":"English","back_language":"English","front_image":"","back_image":"","order":0,"explanation":"The units kJ ha–1 year–1 are used to record productivity rates because they standardize results by accounting for varying environment sizes. Additionally, the per year aspect considers seasonal impacts, providing an annual average for fair comparisons.","deleted_at":null,"flashcard_deck_id":"7XuE6","original_id":null,"examMode":{"text":"","correct":"","incorrect":"","info":""}},{"id":1330602,"front":"How does the availability of water, light, warmth, and green plants affect an ecosystem's productivity?","back":"Plenty of water, light, warmth, and green plants will maximize the rates of photosynthesis and therefore result in more carbohydrates being produced in the plants. This increases the ecosystem's productivity.","front_language":"English","back_language":"English","front_image":"","back_image":"","order":0,"explanation":"Water, light, warmth, and green plants are essential for photosynthesis, the process through which plants produce energy. Adequate availability of these factors ensures optimal conditions for photosynthesis, leading to increased plant growth and productivity within the ecosystem.","deleted_at":null,"flashcard_deck_id":"7XuE6","original_id":null,"examMode":{"text":"","correct":"","incorrect":"","info":""}},{"id":1330621,"front":"What happens to the majority of energy between each trophic level in a food web?","back":"Between each trophic level in a food web, the majority of the energy is lost due to respiration and excretion. The remaining energy is used to form the biomass.","front_language":"English","back_language":"English","front_image":"","back_image":"","order":0,"explanation":"Energy loss between trophic levels in a food web is due to inefficiencies in energy transfer, with only a small portion being converted into biomass. This loss occurs because organisms use energy for their own metabolic processes before passing it on to the next trophic level.","deleted_at":null,"flashcard_deck_id":"7XuE6","original_id":null,"examMode":{"text":"","correct":"","incorrect":"","info":""}},{"id":1330630,"front":"What is the significance of nutrient cycles in natural ecosystems?","back":"Nutrient cycles are crucial in natural ecosystems as they facilitate the recycling of nutrients, as exemplified by the nitrogen cycle and the phosphorus cycle.","front_language":"English","back_language":"English","front_image":"","back_image":"","order":0,"explanation":"Nutrient cycles are essential for maintaining the balance of nutrients in ecosystems, supporting plant growth, and sustaining life. They ensure that essential elements like nitrogen and phosphorus are continuously available for organisms, contributing to ecosystem stability and productivity.","deleted_at":null,"flashcard_deck_id":"7XuE6","original_id":null,"examMode":{"text":"","correct":"","incorrect":"","info":""}},{"id":1330637,"front":"Describe the role of mycorrhizae in the nutrient cycle.","back":"Mycorrhizae are fungal associations between plant roots and beneficial fungi. The fungi entwined around the plant roots provide a larger surface area for water and mineral absorption. They act like a sponge and can absorb and hold onto water and minerals surrounding the root. This is beneficial to the plant, especially in times of drought when the mycorrhizae store of water and minerals can be used. The plant, in turn, provides the fungi with carbohydrates, making this a mutualistic relationship.","front_language":"English","back_language":"English","front_image":"","back_image":"","order":0,"explanation":"Mycorrhizae play a crucial role in enhancing nutrient uptake for plants by increasing the surface area for absorption. This symbiotic relationship benefits both the plant and fungi, aiding in water and mineral retention, especially during droughts. The exchange of nutrients between the plant and fungi is essential for their mutual survival and growth.","deleted_at":null,"flashcard_deck_id":"7XuE6","original_id":null,"examMode":{"text":"","correct":"","incorrect":"","info":""}},{"id":1330646,"front":"Define nitrogen-fixation and its role in the nitrogen cycle.","back":"Nitrogen-fixation is a process where nitrogen-fixing bacteria break the double bond between the two nitrogen atoms in nitrogen gas in the atmosphere and fix this nitrogen into ammonium ions. The bacteria are either free-living in the soil or live in a mutualistic relationship in the root nodules of plants, commonly in leguminous plants such as clover and beans.","front_language":"English","back_language":"English","front_image":"","back_image":"","order":0,"explanation":"Nitrogen-fixation is crucial for converting atmospheric nitrogen into a form usable by plants. This process enriches the soil with essential nutrients, promoting plant growth. The symbiotic relationship between nitrogen-fixing bacteria and plants enhances ecosystem productivity and sustainability.","deleted_at":null,"flashcard_deck_id":"7XuE6","original_id":null,"examMode":{"text":"","correct":"","incorrect":"","info":""}},{"id":1330647,"front":"Explain the process of nitrification in the nitrogen cycle.","back":"Nitrification is a process where the ammonium ions in the soil are converted to nitrite and then nitrate ions in the soil by nitrifying bacteria. This is a two-stage oxidation reaction.","front_language":"English","back_language":"English","front_image":"","back_image":"","order":0,"explanation":"Nitrification is crucial for converting ammonia, a form of nitrogen that plants can't use, into nitrate, a form that plants can absorb. This process involves two types of bacteria, Nitrosomonas and Nitrobacter, each responsible for a specific stage of converting ammonia to nitrate.","deleted_at":null,"flashcard_deck_id":"7XuE6","original_id":null,"examMode":{"text":"","correct":"","incorrect":"","info":""}},{"id":1330648,"front":"What is denitrification and why is it not useful in the nitrogen cycle?","back":"Denitrification is a stage in the nitrogen cycle where the nitrogen in compounds is returned back to nitrogen gas in the atmosphere by anaerobic denitrifying bacteria. This stage is not useful as the nitrogen gas cannot be absorbed by plants.","front_language":"English","back_language":"English","front_image":"","back_image":"","order":0,"explanation":"Denitrification is a natural process in the nitrogen cycle where certain bacteria convert nitrogen compounds back into nitrogen gas. This occurs in anaerobic conditions, such as waterlogged soils. While denitrification is important for balancing nitrogen levels in ecosystems, it is not useful for plants because they cannot directly use nitrogen gas. Instead, plants rely on other forms of nitrogen, such as nitrate or ammonium, which can be taken up by their roots. Therefore, denitrification does not contribute to the availability of nitrogen for plant growth.","deleted_at":null,"flashcard_deck_id":"7XuE6","original_id":null,"examMode":{"text":"","correct":"","incorrect":"","info":""}},{"id":1330649,"front":"Define ammonification and its role in the nitrogen cycle.","back":"Ammonification is a process where proteins, urea, and DNA can be decomposed in dead matter and waste by saprobionts. These are bacteria and fungi that can digest waste extracellularly, this is saprobiotic nutrition, and returns ammonium ions into the soil.","front_language":"English","back_language":"English","front_image":"","back_image":"","order":0,"explanation":"Ammonification is crucial in the nitrogen cycle as it breaks down organic nitrogen from dead organisms into ammonium, a form usable by plants. This recycling of nitrogen ensures its availability in ecosystems, supporting plant growth and overall nutrient cycling.","deleted_at":null,"flashcard_deck_id":"7XuE6","original_id":null,"examMode":{"text":"","correct":"","incorrect":"","info":""}},{"id":1330652,"front":"How does the phosphorus cycle differ from the nitrogen and carbon cycles?","back":"The phosphorus cycle is different from the nitrogen and carbon cycles because phosphorus is not found as a gas in the atmosphere. Instead, the main store of phosphorus is in sedimentary rocks.","front_language":"English","back_language":"English","front_image":"","back_image":"","order":0,"explanation":"The phosphorus cycle differs from the nitrogen and carbon cycles because phosphorus is not present in the atmosphere as a gas. Instead, it is primarily found in sedimentary rocks. This means that phosphorus is released into the environment through weathering and erosion of rocks, and then it is taken up by plants and other organisms. In contrast, nitrogen and carbon are both found in the atmosphere as gases and can be directly taken up by organisms.","deleted_at":null,"flashcard_deck_id":"7XuE6","original_id":null,"examMode":{"text":"","correct":"","incorrect":"","info":""}},{"id":1330663,"front":"Describe the purpose of fertilisers in agriculture.","back":"Fertilisers are added to soil to replace the nutrients lost nitrate and phosphate ions when plants are harvested and removed from the cycle as crops. These fertilisers can be either natural (manure) or artificial fertilisers (inorganic chemicals).","front_language":"English","back_language":"English","front_image":"","back_image":"","order":0,"explanation":"Fertilisers play a crucial role in agriculture by replenishing essential nutrients in the soil that are depleted due to continuous crop harvesting. This helps maintain soil fertility, promotes plant growth, and ensures optimal crop yields. Natural and artificial fertilisers are used to provide plants with the necessary nutrients for healthy development.","deleted_at":null,"flashcard_deck_id":"7XuE6","original_id":null,"examMode":{"text":"","correct":"","incorrect":"","info":""}},{"id":1330676,"front":"Do natural and artificial fertilisers have different impacts on the environment?","back":"Yes, artificial fertilisers are more water-soluble, and therefore more of these ions dissolve in the water surrounding the soil. Their high solubility means that larger quantities are washed away with rainfall and therefore have a greater impact on the environment.","front_language":"English","back_language":"English","front_image":"","back_image":"","order":0,"explanation":"Artificial fertilizers are more water-soluble than natural ones, leading to higher runoff and potential water pollution. This runoff can contribute to eutrophication in water bodies, harming aquatic ecosystems. The environmental impact of artificial fertilizers is thus more pronounced compared to natural fertilizers.","deleted_at":null,"flashcard_deck_id":"7XuE6","original_id":null,"examMode":{"text":"","correct":"","incorrect":"","info":""}},{"id":1330685,"front":"Define the term 'leaching' in the context of agriculture.","back":"Leaching is when water-soluble compounds are washed away, often into rivers or ponds. If nitrogen fertilisers leach into waterways it causes eutrophication.","front_language":"English","back_language":"English","front_image":"","back_image":"","order":0,"explanation":"Leaching in agriculture occurs when water-soluble substances, such as nitrogen fertilizers, are carried away by water, often ending up in water bodies. This can lead to environmental issues like eutrophication, impacting aquatic ecosystems.","deleted_at":null,"flashcard_deck_id":"7XuE6","original_id":null,"examMode":{"text":"","correct":"","incorrect":"","info":""}},{"id":1330709,"front":"How does eutrophication affect aquatic ecosystems?","back":"Eutrophication is when nitrates leached from fertilised fields stimulate the growth of algae in a pond. The excessive growth of algae creates a blanket on the surface of the water which blocks out light. As a result, plants below cannot photosynthesize and die. Bacteria within the water feed and respire on the dead plant matter, using up the oxygen within the water. Eventually, fish and other aquatic organisms die due to the lack of dissolved oxygen in the water.","front_language":"English","back_language":"English","front_image":"","back_image":"","order":0,"explanation":"Eutrophication disrupts the balance in aquatic ecosystems by causing algae overgrowth, leading to reduced light penetration, plant death, and oxygen depletion. This process harms aquatic life, impacting the entire ecosystem's health and biodiversity.","deleted_at":null,"flashcard_deck_id":"7XuE6","original_id":null,"examMode":{"text":"","correct":"","incorrect":"","info":""}},{"id":1330725,"front":"How could a food web be simplified and why might a farmer want to do this?","back":"A food web could be simplified by reducing the number of trophic levels. A farmer might want to do this to reduce wasted energy.","front_language":"English","back_language":"English","front_image":"","back_image":"","order":0,"explanation":"Simplifying a food web by reducing trophic levels can make it easier to understand and manage. This can help a farmer focus on key species and relationships, leading to more efficient agricultural practices. It also minimizes energy loss, potentially increasing productivity.","deleted_at":null,"flashcard_deck_id":"7XuE6","original_id":null,"examMode":{"text":"","correct":"","incorrect":"","info":""}},{"id":1330739,"front":"Define 'gross primary productivity' (GPP).","back":"Gross primary productivity (GPP) is the total amount of energy captured by plants through photosynthesis.","front_language":"English","back_language":"English","front_image":"","back_image":"","order":0,"explanation":"Gross primary productivity (GPP) is a crucial ecological metric that quantifies the rate at which plants convert solar energy into organic compounds. It represents the foundation of energy flow within ecosystems and serves as a key indicator of overall ecosystem productivity.","deleted_at":null,"flashcard_deck_id":"7XuE6","original_id":null,"examMode":{"text":"","correct":"","incorrect":"","info":""}},{"id":1330756,"front":"Define 'net primary productivity' (NPP).","back":"Net primary productivity (NPP) is the amount of energy left over after plants have used some for their own metabolic processes.","front_language":"English","back_language":"English","front_image":"","back_image":"","order":0,"explanation":"Net primary productivity (NPP) is a crucial ecological metric indicating the energy available for consumption by higher trophic levels. It reflects the efficiency of plants in converting solar energy into organic matter, influencing ecosystem dynamics and biodiversity.","deleted_at":null,"flashcard_deck_id":"7XuE6","original_id":null,"examMode":{"text":"","correct":"","incorrect":"","info":""}},{"id":1330762,"front":"How is energy lost between trophic levels in a food chain?","back":"Energy is lost between trophic levels through respiration, and in the form of faeces and urine.","front_language":"English","back_language":"English","front_image":"","back_image":"","order":0,"explanation":"Energy is lost as heat during metabolic processes like respiration, limiting the amount available to the next trophic level. Waste products like feces and urine also contain energy that is not transferred up the food chain, impacting energy flow efficiency.","deleted_at":null,"flashcard_deck_id":"7XuE6","original_id":null,"examMode":{"text":"","correct":"","incorrect":"","info":""}}]

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