How do energy and matter move in ecosystems?

Question

Responses

Energy and matter cycle through the environment.
Energy and matter cycle through the environment.

Energy and matter flow in one direction.
Energy and matter flow in one direction.

Energy flows in one direction, and matter cycles through the environment.
Energy flows in one direction, and matter cycles through the environment.

Matter flows in one direction, and energy cycles through the environment

Answer 1

The correct response is: Energy flows in one direction, and matter cycles through the environment.

In ecosystems, energy enters primarily through sunlight and is transformed by producers (like plants) into chemical energy via photosynthesis. This energy then moves through various trophic levels (e.g., herbivores, carnivores) in a linear path, typically represented as energy flow in one direction.

On the other hand, matter (like nutrients and elements) cycles through the ecosystem in various biogeochemical cycles (such as the water cycle, carbon cycle, nitrogen cycle), meaning it is reused and recirculated within the environment rather than flowing in a single direction.