Key Concepts in Fungi, Plants, and Ecosystem Energy

Fungi and Plant Kingdom Characteristics

Characteristics of Fungi (Four Points)

• Most fungi grow as tubular filaments called hyphae.
• The walls of hyphae are often strengthened with chitin.
• Fungi disperse themselves by releasing spores.
• Fungi are heterotrophic.

Characteristics of the Plant Kingdom (Four Points)

• Most plants are eukaryotic and chlorophyll-containing organisms.
• Cell walls of plant cells are comprised of cellulose.
• They have an ability to grow by cell division.
• In the life cycle of plants, interchanges occur from the embryos and are supported by other tissues for self-production.

Ecosystem Energy Flow and Cycles

Photosynthesis Equation and Components

The equation for photosynthesis is: 6CO₂ + 6H₂O + solar energy → 6O₂ + C₆H₁₂O₆

• CO₂: Carbon Dioxide
• H₂O: Water
• Solar Energy: Light energy input
• O₂: Oxygen
• C₆H₁₂O₆: Glucose (Sugar/Food)

Energy Roles in Ecosystems

A producer is also known as an autotroph, because they make their own food.

A consumer gets its energy by eating other organisms.

The flow of energy from one organism to another starts with the sun.

Types of Consumers

Carnivore: An animal that eats other animals. Examples: A lion and a tiger.

Omnivore: An animal that eats both plants and animals. Examples: Chickens and squirrels.

Cellular Respiration

The equation for cellular respiration is: 6O₂ + C₆H₁₂O₆ → 6H₂O + 6CO₂ + energy

Difference from Photosynthesis: Cellular respiration breaks down glucose to release energy for daily functions, whereas photosynthesis uses energy to build glucose.

Activities Fueled by Cellular Respiration (Five Examples)

• Walking
• Writing
• Running
• Reading
• Swimming

Food Webs and Trophic Levels

Food Web Definition and Importance: A food web represents the many possible feeding relationships within an ecosystem, showing complex energy transfer pathways.

If a shrimp eats plankton, a fish eats the shrimp, a bird eats the fish, and an alligator eats the bird, the alligator would be a top carnivore (fourth-level consumer).

Biogeochemical Cycles

Carbon Cycle Inputs (Four Ways Carbon Enters an Ecosystem)

• Combustion
• Cellular Respiration
• Decomposition
• Erosion

Since nitrogen cannot be used in its atmospheric state, organisms need nitrogen-fixing bacteria to convert the nitrogen.

Nitrogen and phosphorus are the two substances found in high concentrations within fertilizers used to nourish vegetation.

Ecological Change

Ecological succession is the gradual process of change and replacement of some or all of the species in a community.

The very first species that appears in a primary succession is called the pioneer species.

Biomes and Climate

Defining Biomes

Biomes are large regions characterized by a specific type of climate, vegetation, and animal life.

The two most important factors which determine the type of climate in a particular region are Temperature and Precipitation.

The 10 Major Biomes

Polar Ice, Tropical Rainforest, Temperate Rainforest, Taiga, Tropical Savanna, Temperate Grassland, Chaparral, Desert, Tundra, Mountains.

As latitude and altitude increase, we could expect cooler temperatures and less vegetation.

Characteristics of Tropical Rainforest (Four Points)

• Wet
• Green (Lush Vegetation)
• Warm
• Lots of animals (High Biodiversity)