e17. How do organisms use matter?
Organisms all use solids, liquids, and gasses in some manner. They live in it (or on it), use it for nourishment, and produce it. Most matter exists as compounds. There are many examples of organic compounds (those that include carbon). Simple carbohydrates make up simple sugars. Complex carbohydrates are simple sugars linked together; these form starches. Proteins are formed from amino acids. There are 20 essential amino acids; 10 of these can be produced within cells. The other 10 must be acquired through food intake. Nucleic acids are made from four different nucleotides; these form RNA and DNA. All organisms convert food into energy through respiration. Organisms contain both organic and inorganic compounds. Important inorganic compounds include salt, water, N2O, NO, CO, CO2, NO2, SO2, NH3, H2SO4, and HNO3. For matter to be useful within the organism, it must be converted to energy. In plants, radiant energy is converted to sugars. These sugars are then used for nutrition and growth. In herbivores, carbohydrates from plants are converted into sugars, then into energy for growth, movement, reproduction, and so forth. Carnivores convert herbivores into energy, but the herbivores aren’t too thrilled about this. (See Figure 04: Food Energy Pyramid)
g05. How are forests of geological importance?
g07. How did plate tectonics affect the diversity of ecosystems?
g08. What are the spheres that make up the earth?
g16. What is matter?
g17. Is some matter more useful than other matter?
g18. What is energy?
g26. Where is drinkable water found?
m15. How are freshwater and marine environments managed?
m22. How are energy resources used?
m41. How can
matter affect the environment?
m48. What is in pesticides and what do they do?
m53. How does air pollution affect organisms?
m70. What are hazardous wastes?
m71. What chemicals pose a danger?
m83. How do we produce food?
m84. What do we need to feed the world?
m85. How can food production be increased?
m86. How can water help feed us?