Organisms and Environment
Organisms and Environment Flashcards 
Master the Science of Ecology and Ecosystems
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Energy Flow
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What is the principal source of energy for biological systems?
Energy Flow
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The Sun is the principal source of energy for biological systems:
- It provides light energy that is converted into chemical energy by plants through photosynthesis
- This energy then flows through the ecosystem as it's transferred from one organism to another
- Almost all ecosystems depend on solar energy, with deep-sea hydrothermal vent communities being a rare exception
- The amount of energy captured by producers forms the basis for the entire ecosystem's energy budget
- Only about 1-2% of solar energy reaching Earth is actually converted to chemical energy by photosynthesis
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