Answer:
Ecosystems are characterized by the cycling of chemicals and by the flow of energy. Both of these begin when photosynthesizing organisms take in solar energy and inorganic nutrients to make organic nutrients. These organic nutrients move up through the food chain until death occurs and decomposition returns the nutrients to the earth. In this manner, chemicals are cycled throughout an ecosystem. As these organic nutrients move up the food chain, energy moves along with them. With each level of the food chain, some of this energy is lost as heat. In this manner, energy flows through an ecosystem and does not cycle.
Explanation:
Chemicals is the term used in general to refer to simple molecules or substances formed by two or more atoms. They can be classified as organic, most of which are formed by carbon and hydrogen and derive from biological processes, and inorganic, with other compositions.
Energy, on the other hand, is the capacity of performing a reaction or movement. It is necessary for processes in which one chemical is transformed into another one. One form of energy is the one contained in atomic bonds (chemical energy), but there are many other forms.
Photosynthesis is the process by which plants and other organisms transform inorganic matter into organic. They use the energy contained in sun rays to perform this task, inside complex structures called chloroplasts.
