Question

Through the process of photosynthesis, light energy from the Sun was transformed into chemical energy in the form of sugar within a strawberry plant. The strawberries were then eaten by a bird, and the sugars were converted into other essential molecules, such as proteins or fats. When the bird produced waste, bacteria in the soil decomposed the waste into elements, such as carbon and nitrogen, which were recycled back into the ecosystem.

In this example, matter and energy changed forms and locations as they flowed through the ecosystem. What else is true?
A.
The total amount of matter and energy increased.
B.
Matter and energy were lost each time they changed forms.
C.
The total amount of matter and energy remained the same.
D.
Matter and energy were lost each time they changed locations.

Answer 1

The correct answer is:

C. The total amount of matter and energy remained the same.

In a closed system, such as an ecosystem, the law of conservation of mass and energy states that matter and energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed from one form to another or relocated. Thus, while they may change forms and locations, the total amount of matter and energy in the system remains constant.