1. Differentiate between photosynthesis and chemosynthesis.

Also write the complete reaction of both

chemical reactions.

o “Photosynthesis and chemosynthesis are both processes by which organisms produce food;
photosynthesis is powered by sunlight while chemosynthesis runs on chemical energy. Ecosystems
depend upon the ability of some organisms to convert inorganic compounds into food that other
organisms can then exploit (or eat!). In most cases, primary food production occurs in a process called
photosynthesis, which is powered by sunlight. In a few environments, primary production happens
though a process called chemosynthesis, which runs on chemical energy. Together, photosynthesis and
chemosynthesis fuel all life on Earth.” http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/facts/photochemo.html
Photosynthesis – occurs in plants and some bacteria, wherever there is enough sunlight – on land, in
shallow water, even inside and below clear ice. All photosynthetic organisms use the sun’s energy to
turn carbon dioxide and water into sugar and oxygen. Chemosynthesis – is the use of the energy released
by chemical reactions (instead of the sun’s energy) to produce food. No light is available to support
photosynthesis by marine algae or plants, so primary productivity occurs when bacteria-like organisms
turn chemical energy from vents into usable energy.

o Photosynthesis occurs in plants and some bacteria, wherever there is sufficient sunlight – on land, in
shallow water, even inside and below clear ice. All photosynthetic organisms use solar energy to turn
carbon dioxide and water into sugar (food) and oxygen: CO2 + 6H2O -> C6H12O6 + 6O2.

o Chemosynthesis occurs in bacteria and other organisms and involves the use of energy released by
inorganic chemical reactions to produce food. All chemosynthetic organisms use energy released by
chemical reactions to make a sugar, but different species use different pathways. For example, at
hydrothermal vents, vent bacteria oxidize hydrogen sulfide, add carbon dioxide and oxygen, and
produce sugar, sulfur, and water: CO 2 + 4H2S + O2 -> CH20 + 4S + 3H2O. Other bacteria make organic
matter by reducing sulfide or oxidizing methane.

2. Explain the important role of feeding interaction among organism. Describe also the mechanism of
transfer of energy.

 One of the importance of feeding interaction is that it maintains the food web. A food web shows the
food relationship among living organisms and most food webs start with green plants. another reason on
why feeding interaction is important is because it controls the population of living organisms. A predator
is a living organism that hunts other living organisms for food and a prey is a living organism that is
hunted by predators. For example, a lion is a predator and a zebra are its prey. The population of living
organisms would be overloaded if biological interaction didn’t exist. Thirdly, the importance of feeding
interaction is it allows the living organisms to protect each other. This can be shown by mutualism
which is an interaction between two different species of living organisms in which both parties’ benefit.
A fungus and an alga live closely together to form a lichen, together the fungus and the alga are able to
survive in harsh environments where neither organism would be able to live on its own. Many living
organisms would be destroyed if biological interaction didn’t exist. Different species in an ecosystem
are related and interact when one species can use the other species as a food source. For example, in
predator-prey relationships, the one species (predator) will hunt another species (prey).
3. How does phosphorus cycle differ from other cycle?

Phosphorus Cycle

 Phosphorus is an important element for all forms of life. As phosphate (PO4), it makes up an important
part of the structural framework that holds DNA and RNA together. Phosphates are also a critical
component of ATP—the cellular energy carrier—as they serve as an energy release’ for organisms to use
in building proteins or contacting muscles. Like calcium, phosphorus is important to vertebrates; in the
human body, 80% of phosphorous is found in teeth and bones.
 The phosphorus cycle differs from the other major biogeochemical cycles in that it does not include a gas
phase; although small amounts of phosphoric acid (H3PO4) may make their way into the atmosphere,
contributing—in some cases—to acid rain. The water, carbon, nitrogen and sulfur cycles all include at
least one phase in which the element is in its gaseous state. Very little phosphorus circulates in the
atmosphere because at Earth’s normal temperatures and pressures, phosphorus and its various compounds
are not gases. The largest reservoir of phosphorus is in sedimentary rock.

4. Explain the law of Conservation of energy. Why do we need to conserve energy despite that energy
cannot be destroyed, meaning they can be transforming from form to another?

 Conservation of energy. The principle that the total amount of energy in a closed system remains always the
same, none being lost or created in any chemical or physical process or in the conversion of one kind
of energy into another, within that system.

 There are a number of reasons why you should consider cutting back on energy consumption. First of
all, reducing energy use limits the number of carbon emissions in the environment. Carbon emissions
play a significant role in climate change, which is thought to be the cause of powerful natural disasters
in recent years. With billions of harmful emissions in the atmosphere, cutting back is always a good
thing. In turn, conserving energy produces a higher quality of life. Reduced emissions result in cleaner
air quality. In addition, it helps create a healthier planet, or at least helps sustain the resources we
already have. Being conservative with energy can ensure that lakes, trees and animals are around for
future generations.