Science and Technology - II

ENERGY FLOW IN AN ECOSYSTEM

1. Complete the following table (Carefully study the carbon, oxygen and nitrogen cycles).

Ans:

Bio-geo-chemical Biotic processes Abiotic processes

cycles
1. Carbon cycle Photosynthesis and Combustion, Absorption by water
respiration, decomposition
by decomposers
2. Oxygen cycle Photosynthesis and Combustion, production of ozone
respiration, decomposition and oxides
by decomposers
3. Nitrogen cycle Decomposition by Industrial fixation(Factories),
decomposers, biological physical fixation, Nitrification,
fixation (Bacteria), denitrifixation
Ammonification.

2. Correct and rewrite the following statements and justify your corrections .

a. Carnivores occupy the second trophic level in the food chain.

Ans:
Correction: Carnivores occupy the third trophic level.
Autotrophic producers constitute the first trophic level. Herbivorous animals obtain their
nutrients from them. They occupy second trophic level. Carnivorous animals feed upon
these herbivorous animals, therefore, they occupy the third trophic level in the food chain.

b. The flow of nutrients in an ecosystem is considered to be a ‘one way’ transport.

Ans:
Correction: The flow of nutrients in an ecosystem is considered to be cyclic.
The green plants are producers. By photosynthesis they convert minerals and inorganic
compounds into glucose. This food is transferred along with food chain from producers.
The decomposers of the ecosystem decompose all the dead and decaying organisms and
return these nutrients back to the ecosystem. Thus, the flow of nutrients is cyclic and not one
way transport.
 c. Plants in an ecosystem are called primary consumers.
Ans:
Correction: Plants in an ecosystem are called producers.
Green plants are called producers as they carryout photosynthesis with the help of solar
energy. The food which they produce is utilized by the herbivores. Therefore, they are
called primary consumers.

3. Give reasons.

a. Energy flow through an ecosystem is ‘one way’.

Ans:
1. The sun is the most important source of energy in any ecosystem.
2. Green plants of the ecosystem store some of the solar energy in the form of food.
3. Before reaching the decomposers, this energy is passed on from one trophic level to
the next.
4. Decomposers dissipate some amount of energy in the form of heat. However, no part
of the energy ever returns to the sun. Hence, such passage of energy is referred to as
‘one way’ transport.

b. Equilibrium is necessary in the various bio-geo-chemical cycles.

Ans:

i. In nature, the various bio-geochemical cycles operate simultaneously and there is

equilibrium between them.
ii. During these cycles, the inorganic compounds that are released from organic
compounds are released back to nature.
iii. Soil bacteria and other decomposers play a vital role in these cycles.
iv. If bio-geochemical cycles are imbalanced then they bring about the imbalance in the
ecosystem as a result of which the ecosystem is destroyed. This shows that equilibrium
is necessary in the various bio-geochemical cycles.

c. Flow of nutrients through an ecosystem is cyclic.

Ans:
i. Producers obtain nutrients from the soil, and CO 2 from the atmosphere and synthesise food
from them with the help of photosynthesis.
ii. During this process, the inorganic substances are converted into organic substances.
iii. Consumers consume the food produced by producers. The energy in the form of food is thus
passed on from one trophic level to the other trophic level.
iv. Both producers and consumers after their death undego decomposition and after decomposition
and release nutrients to the environment.
4. Explain the following cycles in your own words with suitable diagrams.
a. Carbon cycle.
Ans:

1. The circulation and recycling of carbon from the atmosphere to living organisms
and after their death back to the atmosphere is called the carbon cycle.
2. Abiotic carbon atoms are circulated and recycled into biotic form mainly through
photosynthesis and respiration.
3. Plants convert carbon dioxide into carbohydrates by the process of photosynthesis.
4. Biotic carbon is transported from plants to herbivores, from herbivores to carnivores
and from carnivores to apex consumers.
5. After death, all types of consumer, are decomposed by decomposers like bacteria
and fungi and carbon dioxide is released again into the atmosphere and is used again
by living organism.

b. Nitrogen cycle.
Ans:

1. Nitrogen forms 78% i.e. the maximum portion of the atmosphere. It is necessary for
the maintenance of the cycle of nature.
2. The circulation and recycling of nitrogen gas into the form of different compounds
through various biotic and abiotic processes in nature is called the nitrogen cycle.
3. All organisms participate in the nitrogen cycle. It is an important component of
proteins and nucleic acids.
4. As compared to other elements, it is inactive and does not easily combine with other
elements. Most organisms cannot use the free form of nitrogen.
Important processes of the nitrogen cycle
a. Nitrogen fixation: Conversion of nitrogen into nitrates and nitrites through
atmospheric, industrial and biological processes.
b. Ammonification: Release of ammonia through decomposition of dead bodies and
excretory wastes of organisms.
c. Nitrification: Conversion of ammonia into a nitrite and then nitrate.
d. Denitrification: Conversion of nitrogen compounds into gaseous nitrogen.

c. oxygen cycle.
Ans:

1. Oxygen forms 21% of theamosphere. It is also present in the hydrosphere and

lithosphere. Circulation and recycling of oxygen within the biosphere is called the
oxygen cycle.
2. This cycle, too, includes both the biotic and abiotic components. Oxygen is
continuously produced as well as used up in the atmosphere.
3. Oxygen is highly reactive and it readily reacts with other elements and compounds.
4. As oxygen is found in various forms like molecular oxygen (O2), water (H2O),
carbon dioxide (CO2), inorganic compounds, etc. the oxygen cycle of the biosphere
is extremely complex.
5. Oxygen is released in the process of photosynthesis whereas it is used up in
processes like respiration, combustion, decomposition, corrosion, rusting, etc.
5. What would you do to help maintain the equilibrium in the various bio-geo- -chemical
cycles? Explain in brief.
Ans:
For maintaining the balance in the biogeochemical cycles, following measures have to be taken:
1. We have to conserve plants like trees, creepers and the entire available flora. For this, we
have to at once stop felling of the trees. If plants are destroyed, the productivity of the
ecosystem is hampered. Therefore the flora has to be well maintained.
2. We should not kill and poach carnivorous wild animals. This results in disturbance in the
ecological balance. In order to protect the equilibrium we should conserve the food chains.
3. Under any condition , apex consumer should not be killed. The hunting makes the valuable
species to become extinct. Moreover, the population of herbivorous animals will not be
under control if carnivores are killed. By exterminating the apex consumers, the
interrelationship between food chains and food web will suffer.
4. Anthropogenic activities such as pollution, deforestation, constructions in the wild habitat,
over consumption of natural resources should be immediately kept under control.

6. Explain in detail the inter-relationship between the food chain and food web.
Ans:
1. In every ecosystem, interaction go on continuously between producers, consumers
and saprophytes.
2. These interactions follow a definite sequence called the food chain.
3. Each food chain consists of four, five or more links.
4. An ecosystem consisting of interconnected food chains at various levels constitute
a food web.
Thus, there is an interrelationship between the food chain and food web.

7. State the different types of bio-geochemical cycles and explain the importance of t hose
cycles.
Ans:
1. The bio-geochemical cycles are of two types, viz. gaseous cycle and sedimentary
cycle.
2. The gaseous cycle includes carbon dioxide, oxygen, nitrogen, water vapour, etc.
while sedimentary cycle includes soil components viz., calcium, phosphorus, iron
etc.
3. In an ecosystem, producers produce food by making use of solar energy. While
doing so, they absorb nutrients from soil, air and water.
4. Consumers that feed on producers also pass nutrients to their bodies.

8. Explain the following with suitable examples.

a. What type of changes occur in the amount of energy during its transfer from plants to apex
consumers?
Ans:
1. Green plants of the ecosystem store large amount of energy in the form of food.
2. Before reaching decomposers, this energy is passed through different trophic levels like
primary consumer, secondary consumer, tertiary consumer, etc.
 3. The level of energy goes on decreasing while moving through one trophic level to the
other.
4. While moving from one trophic level to the other, some amount of energy is liberated in
the form of heat.
5. The apex consumer receives the least amount of energy.

b. What are the differences between flow of matter and of energy in an ecosystem? Why?
Ans:
1. The bio-geochemical cycles are of two types, viz. gaseous cycle and sedimentary cycle.
2. The gaseous cycle included carbon dioxide, oxygen, nitrogen, water vapour, etc. while
sedimentary cycle includes soil components viz., calcium, phosphorus, iron etc.
3. In an ecosystem, producers produce food by making use of solar energy. While doing so,
they absorb nutrients from soil, air and water.
4. Consumers that feed on producers also pass nutrients to their bodies.

 Importance of bio-geochemical cycle:

i. Plants require water, CO2 , phosphorus, potassium, nitrogen, etc. as nutrients while
animals require carbohydrates, proteins, fats, etc. as nutrients.
ii. Producers and consumers after their death undergo decomposition and release
elements which mix with the soil.
iii. The cyclic movement of nutrients is possible through bio-geochemical cycle.
iv. The cyclic movement of elements like carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, etc. continuously
occur on the earth.