Question

How does matter and energy cycle through the ecosystems?

Answer 1

Hint: Community of organisms living together in the physical environment is known as an ecosystem. There are marine, aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. Biotic component of an ecosystem is a community and the physical environment is an abiotic component. Both matter and energy are conserved in the ecosystem.

Complete answer :
The flow of matter in the ecosystem: Matter is recycled through Earth’s ecosystems. Same atoms are used and transformed in different chemical forms which are then used by different organisms. In a terrestrial ecosystem, carbon dioxide and nutrients enter the plants from the atmosphere and soil. Plants are eaten by an animal and are used for energy and plant molecules are converted into new molecules. Then in cellular respiration by animals carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere.
The flow of energy in the ecosystem: Energy cannot be recycled as matter and energy flow is unidirectional from one trophic level to the other. The main source of energy is the sun which is captured by green plants and algae. Only 2 -10 percent of 40-50 percent photosynthetically active radiation is used by the plants. Green plants are then eaten by animals and energy is transported to the herbivores ( primary consumers ). Some amount of energy is lost in the form of heat. From primary consumers, energy is transported to secondary consumers. Energy flow follows the 10 percent law which states that 10 percent of energy is transferred from one trophic level to the other and rest is lost to the atmosphere.

Note:
When one organism is eaten by the other, matter and gaseous elements are transferred from one organism to others. The matter is transferred from producers to consumers and then to decomposers and in this way, the matter is cycled in the ecosystem and energy is transferred from one trophic level to another trophic level following the 10 percent law according to which only 10 percent of energy is transferred and rest is lost as heat to the atmosphere.