State how matter moves through the biosphere. State how energy moves through the biosphere. Explain each statement using examples to illustrate your explanation.
It's a written question.
yea
@Stop Cheating That was not helpful at all. You could at least have linked something :/
Matter moves through the biosphere through various processes such as nutrient cycling, decomposition, and biological processes like photosynthesis and respiration. Nutrient cycling refers to the movement and recycling of essential elements such as carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus between the biotic and abiotic components of the ecosystem. Decomposition involves the breakdown of dead organisms and waste materials by bacteria and fungi, which release nutrients back into the environment. Biological processes like photosynthesis, where plants convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen using energy from the sun, and respiration, where organisms release carbon dioxide back into the atmosphere, also contribute to the movement of matter in the biosphere.
For example, consider the carbon cycle. Plants take in carbon dioxide from the atmosphere during photosynthesis and convert it into glucose, which is then consumed by animals. When animals respire, carbon dioxide is released back into the atmosphere. When animals die or their waste decomposes, the organic matter breaks down, releasing carbon dioxide and returning it to the environment. This cyclic movement of carbon between the atmosphere, plants, animals, and decomposers is essential for sustaining life in the biosphere.
Energy moves through the biosphere in the form of sunlight and flows through various trophic levels in an ecosystem. Sunlight is the primary source of energy for most ecosystems. Plants capture sunlight through photosynthesis and convert it into chemical energy stored in the form of glucose. This energy is then transferred to herbivores when they consume plants. The energy then moves through the food chain as carnivores consume herbivores, and so on.
For example, consider a simple food chain in a forest ecosystem. Sunlight is absorbed by plants, which convert it into glucose through photosynthesis. A deer then feeds on the plants, obtaining energy from the stored glucose. Finally, a lion preys on the deer, gaining energy from the deer's stored energy. In this example, energy is transferred from the sun to the plants, then to the deer, and finally to the lion. As energy moves through each trophic level, it is gradually lost as heat and used for metabolic processes, limiting the length of food chains in an ecosystem.
Overall, matter and energy are crucial components for sustaining life in the biosphere, and understanding how they move and cycle through ecosystems helps us comprehend the intricate web of interactions that support life on Earth.