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.

Question

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

Answer 1

The correct answer is:

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

In the context of this example, while matter and energy change forms and locations throughout the ecosystem, the fundamental law of conservation of mass and energy states that the total amount of matter and energy in a closed system remains constant. They can transform from one form to another, but they are not lost or created in the process.