18. Explain why food webs and energy pyramids show the flow of energy but the cycling of matter.(1 point) Responses The Sun continually replenishes the Earth's matter, but the Earth has a constant amount of energy. The Sun continually replenishes the Earth's matter, but the Earth has a constant amount of energy. The Sun continually replenishes the Earth's energy, but the Earth has a constant amount of matter. The Sun continually replenishes the Earth's energy, but the Earth has a constant amount of matter. The Sun continually replenishes the Earth's energy and matter. The Sun continually replenishes the Earth's energy and matter. The Earth has a constant amount of energy and matter.
The correct response is: The Sun continually replenishes the Earth's energy, but the Earth has a constant amount of matter.
Food webs and energy pyramids show the flow of energy because energy is transferred from one organism to another as they consume and are consumed. The Sun provides the initial energy to the ecosystem through photosynthesis, which is then transferred from producers to consumers.
On the other hand, the cycling of matter refers to the recycling and reuse of nutrients in the ecosystem. Matter such as carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus is constantly being cycled through different organisms and the environment. Unlike energy, matter is not created or destroyed but rather constantly recycled.
The Earth has a constant amount of matter because the elements that make up matter on Earth, such as carbon and nitrogen, are not replenished or added from external sources. These elements are constantly recycled through various biogeochemical processes in the ecosystem.