University of Central Florida (UCF) BSC1005 Biological Principles Practice Exam 2

Question: 1 / 400

What is the primary source of energy for nearly all ecosystems on Earth?

Solar energy

Solar energy is the primary source of energy for nearly all ecosystems on Earth because it drives the process of photosynthesis, which is fundamental to the energy flow within ecosystems. Plants, algae, and some bacteria harness sunlight to convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen. This glucose serves as an energy source not only for the photosynthetic organisms themselves but also for the entire food web, as herbivores consume plants and then predators consume herbivores.

Moreover, solar energy influences climate patterns and the distribution of ecosystems across the globe, affecting how different organisms thrive. Other sources of energy, such as chemical, wind, or geothermal energy, play lesser roles directly in most ecosystems compared to the dominant influence that solar energy has. This makes solar energy crucial for sustaining life on Earth.

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Chemical energy from the earth

Wind energy

Geothermal energy

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