AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Energy flows straight through the ecosystem; it is lost as heat at each step, but it is never recycled. Matter is recycled and is not lost from the ecosystem.

Detailed explanation-2: -This is because, as energy goes through a system, it is slowly lost as heat. But, matter is a constant material, which cannot be lost in any form and is used for another purpose, and gains energy that again collapses by losing energy.

Detailed explanation-3: -This statement is true: Matter is constantly recycled in ecosystems. Individual atoms take countless trips through biogeochemical cycles, passing through living things, air, water and/or rocks and soil. The earth is a closed system, which means that matter cannot be created nor destroyed.

Detailed explanation-4: -Energy flows, but matter is recycled. Energy flows directionally through Earth’s ecosystems, typically entering in the form of sunlight and exiting in the form of heat. However, the chemical components that make up living organisms are different: they get recycled.