GEOG 120 Lecture Notes - Lecture 20: Ecological Pyramid, Pedogenesis, Heterotroph
Document Summary
Today: ecological processes and systems; biogeochemical cycles; soil formation and global patterns. Biosphere: the biotic realm, the life realm. Comprised of all the organic matter. Situated at the interface between the other three physical realms. Exists through overlap/intersection of all three. Interactions with abiotic realms. System of interdependent organisms and their abiotic environment. Open in terms of energy. Energy flows through the system. Closed in terms of matter. Has matter cycles within the system. Includes both biotic and abiotic components. Chloroplasts organelles where photosynthesis occurs. Contain chlorophyll, a light absorbing pigment. Light reaction splits water by using solar energy. Calvin- benson cycle links carbon atoms from carbon dioxide into sugar (glucose) General photosynthesis equation: 6 co2 + 6 h20 - > c6h12o6 + 6o2. Organisms use chemical energy from photosynthesis (or chomosynthesis) Cellular respiration releases chemical energy. Oxygen is used to convert glucose into water and carbon dioxide and energy. Heterotrophs: organisms that gain energy by feeding on others.
