MATTER, ENERGY

M AND LIFE
IN ECOSYSTEM
 Important Concepts

• Living systems (cells, organisms, and the ecosystem) process

matter and energy, and assemble and disassemble
biomolecules by the transfer of atoms and energy.
• Like physical systems, biological systems are governed by the
principles of conservation of matter and thermodynamics.
• Matter tends to be cycled within the ecosystem, but energy
flows through, requiring constant replenishment to maintain the
system.
• The principles of conservation of matter and thermodynamics
provide a basis for understanding the dynamic interactions of
matter and energy in living systems, from the cellular to
ecosystem levels.
 Conservation of
matter has a direct
bearing on human
relationship with
the biosphere
Your one-on-one
interaction with our
environment is
related to the
conservation of
matter.
The use of styrofoam cups, plastic bags and other
items made of complex synthetics aggravate the
garbage problem.
Significantly, these things virtually become major and
permanent pollutants
That matter cannot be created nor
destroyed but it can be transferred and
combined in different ways supports
the principle that
“ Everything goes somewhere”
Now, let’s learn about….
Thermodynamics
Deals with how energy is
transferred in natural processes

Deals specifically with the

relationship between heat, work,
energy. Let’s differentiate….
Heat is the transfer or flow of energy as a
result of temperature difference.

Work is the transfer of energy that is not

due to a difference in temperature.
There are two (2) laws of thermodynamics:
First law of thermodynamics
Is a principle of physics that recognizes the energy is conserved:
“Energy may be transferred or transformed, but is not lost”

second law of thermodynamics

Is a principle of physics that recognizes that with each successive
energy transfer or transformation, less energy is available for
work. It also recognizes the general trend toward disorder
(entropy) and deals w/ the universal degradation of matter &
energy. Simply put…

“Left to themselves, things tend

to degenerate”
 Homeostasis

Greek term which literally means “to

stand equally”
When a living system is active, rather than
static, the condition of fluctuating balance
centered on some ideal state or optimum

Dynamic balance is maintained by active and

opposing adjustments and compensation.

The human body must maintain homeostasis with

respect to numerous internal facts, including
concentration of water and mineral nutrient,
hormones, temperatures, etc.
Energy flow through ecosystem
 Food chains
shows how energy is passed, in the form of food, from
one organism to another. The arrows between the
organisms show the direction of energy flow
Next 3 slides illustrates TROPHIC (or Feeding)
LEVELS AND FOOD CHAINS: PRODUCERS AND
CONSUMERS IN NATURE .

The organisms may vary from one ecosystem to

another (shown here are those for forest,
deep-sea vent, and open ocean, but in each
ecosystem, AUTOTROPHS (or producers) form the
first trophic level, HETEROTROPHS (or
consumers) form the next three trophic levels, and
detritivores utilize the wastes from all levels.

 Within each ecosystem, one can identify chains

of producers and consumers.
 Autotrophs Heterotrophs
Ecosystem Producers Primary Secondary Tertiary
Consumers Consumers Consumers Detritivores
First Tropic
Third Tropic Fourth
Level Second Tropic Level
Tropic Level Level

Hardwood
Forest

Bacteria
Snake and fungi
Acacia Caterpillar Bird
 Autotrophs
Heterotrophs
Ecosystem Producers Primary Secondary Tertiary

Consumers Consumers Consumers Detritivores

First Tropic
Third Tropic Fourth
Level Second Tropic Level
Tropic Level Level

Deep – sea
vent

White
Bacteria
Bacteria Tubeworm Crab
 Autotrophs Heterotrophs
Ecosystem Producers Primary Secondary Tertiary

Consumers Consumers Consumers Detritivores

First Tropic
Third Tropic Fourth
Level Second Tropic Level
Tropic Level Level

Open
Ocean

Zooplankton
Phytoplankton Tuna Marine
Mackerel
Worms
 Food Web
graphical description of feeding relationships among
species in an ecological community, that is, of who eats
who
THANK YOU VERY
MUCH FOR YOUR
ATTENTION!!!