Concept explainers
The movement of matter is _______________ in ecosystems, and the movement of energy is _________________. (a) linear; linear (b) linear; cyclic (c) cyclic; cyclic (d) cyclic; linear (e) cyclic; linear or cyclic
Introduction: Energy comes to the earth from the sun in the form of light. The organisms use the energy source for growth, transfer of energy, oxygen production, and recycling of water and minerals with a great efficiency. The interactions among the organisms living together in a particular place and interaction among these organisms with their abiotic environment are known as ecosystem.
Answer to Problem 1TYU
Correct answer: The movement of matter is cyclic in ecosystems, and the movement of energy is linear. Hence, the correct answer is option (d).
Explanation of Solution
Reason for the correct answer:
Option (d) is given as “cyclic; linear”.
The movement of matter through an ecosystem occurs in a cyclic manner. Matter moves through the ecosystem in numerous cycles from one part to another part and from one organism to another organism and again back to the environment. This cyclic process is also called as biogeochemical cycles. The energy from producers is transferred to the consumers and then to the decomposers. The energy flow through an ecosystem occurs in a linear manner from the sun to the producer, then to the consumer and finally to decomposers. Some of the energy while transferring from one trophic level to another trophic level gets converted to heat. Thus, total energy that is consumed by the producer cannot be transferred completely to the next trophic level. In each trophic level, some amount of energy is converted to heat and comes back to the atmosphere.
Hence, the correct answer is option (d).
Reasons for incorrect answers:
Option (a) is given as “linear; linear”.
The movement of matter does not occur through a linear process because matter moves in a cyclic manner that starts from the environment, enters the ecosystem, and again back to the environment. The movement of energy occurs in a linear manner.
Hence, option (a) is incorrect.
Option (b) is given as “linear; cyclic”.
The movement of matter does not occur through linear process because matter moves in a cyclic manner that starts from the environment, enters the ecosystem, and again back to the environment. The flow of energy occurs in the ecosystem in a linear manner; it starts from the sun then to producers, and then to consumers and decomposers.
Hence, option (b) is incorrect.
Option (c) is given as “cyclic; cyclic”.
The movement matter is cyclic, and movement of energy is linear. The flow of energy occurs in the ecosystem in a linear manner; it starts from the sun to producers and then to consumers.
Hence, option (c) is incorrect.
Option (e) is given as “cyclic; linear or cyclic”.
The movement of matter is cyclic, and movement of energy is linear.
Hence, option (e) is incorrect.
Hence, options (a), (b), (c), and (e) are incorrect.
The movement of matter occurs through a cyclic manner in ecosystems, and the movement of energy occurs through a linear manner.
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