Energy Flow in Ecosystems

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Edward Shields
6 years ago
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1 Energy Flow in Ecosystems

2 The Sun All living things require a source of energy in order to survive. Radiant energy from the sun sustains life on Earth. But not all of the Sun s energy reaches the earth. About 30% is reflected back into space. Close to 70% is converted into thermal energy and absorbed by the air, sea and land. A very small percentage (0.023%) of radiant energy is absorbed by plants for photosynthesis.

3 The Sun All living things require a source of energy in order to survive. Radiant energy from the sun sustains life on Earth. But not all of the Sun s energy reaches the Earth. earth. About 30% is reflected back into space. Close to 70% is converted into thermal energy and absorbed by the air, sea and land. A very small percentage (0.023%) of radiant energy is absorbed by plants for photosynthesis.

4 Photosynthesis The Sun All living things require a source of energy in order to survive. Radiant energy from the sun sustains life on Earth. But not all of the Sun s energy reaches the Earth. earth. About 30% is reflected back into space. Close to 70% is converted into thermal energy and absorbed by the air, sea and land. A very small percentage (0.023%) of radiant energy is absorbed by plants for photosynthesis. Organisms that can photosynthesize use the light energy of the sun to produce chemical energy in the form of food.

5 Photosynthesis All living things require a source of energy in order to survive. Radiant energy from the sun sustains life on Earth. But not all of the Sun s energy reaches the Earth. About 30% is reflected back into space. Close to 70% is converted into thermal energy and absorbed by the air, sea and land. A very small percentage (0.023%) of radiant energy is absorbed by plants for photosynthesis. Organisms that can photosynthesize use the light energy of the sun to produce chemical energy in the form of food. sunlight carbon dioxide + water sugar + oxygen 6CO 2 + 6H 6O 2 O C 6 H 12 O 6 + 2

Photosynthesis Some of the sugars produced are stored

carbon dioxide + water sugar + oxygen sunlight 6CO2 6

6 Photosynthesis Some of the sugars produced are stored by the plant for later use, while others are used to build tissue. Some sugars are combined with other elements to make proteins and fats. How does a plant survive when there is no light? carbon dioxide + water sugar + oxygen sunlight 6CO H2O C6H12O O2 6

Some sugars are combined with other elements to make proteins and fats.

7 Photosynthesis Some of the sugars produced are stored by the plant for later use, while others are used to build tissue. Some sugars are combined with other elements to make proteins and fats. What How does doesathe plant plant survive do when whenthere thereisisno nolight? light? almonds carbon dioxide + water sugar + oxygen sunlight 6CO H2O C6H12O6 + 6O2 6

8 Cellular Photosynthesis Respiration Some of the sugars produced are stored by the plant for later use, while others are used to build tissue. Some sugars are combined with other elements to make proteins and fats. What does the plant do when there is no light? A plant can use the energy that was stored in food (sugars) through a process called cellular respiration. This does not require sunlight, but it does require oxygen. This process occurs continuously. If it were to stop, the plant would quickly die. + sugar oxygen carbon dioxide water + + ATP cellular energy

Any organism that can make its own food is called a producer.

9 Producers So, plants can make their own food through photosynthesis when there is light. Any organism that can make its own food is called a producer. Plants can also use this food to release energy for survival through cellular respiration (in the light or dark).

Consumers must also use respiration to release the food energy to the cell.

10 Consumers Organisms that must eat other organisms to get their food are called consumers. Consumers must also use respiration to release the food energy to the cell.

Energy Flow in Ecosystems

Energy Flow in Ecosystems All organisms require energy to stay alive and function. The source of almost all of this energy is radiant energy, which is the energy radiated from the Sun. Earth is being continuously