1. Ecosystems and Energy 1 st law of thermodynamics- energy cannot be created or destroyed 2 nd law of thermodynamics- when energy is converted from one form to another, some energy is “lost” as heat, and dissipates into the environment

2. The total amount of energy available to do biological work is decreasing over time, total energy is not decreasing Increasing entropy (disorder) No energy conversion is 100% efficient

3. The “Hustle and Flow” of Energy through Ecosystems Detrivore and Decomposer- Both are decomposers- detrivores consume nutrients through a mouth. Saprobes release an enzyme that breaks down nutrients outside the body. They then absorb nutrients through their cell membrane/cell wall

5. Can a food chain have an indefinite amount of interactions?

6. Ecological Pyramids Represent the relative energy values of each trophic level Pyramid of numbers- do not show amount of energy transfer or biomass Pyramid of biomass- can be 90% reduction of biomass at each level Pyramid of energy