The generation of chemical energy by autotrophs, known as primary production, is derived from the uptake of carbon during photosynthesis and chemosynthesis (see Chapter 5).
Chemosynthesis can be the main source of energy in some rare circumstances, as we will see at the end of this chapter. However, the majority of energy on Earth comes from photosynthesis, and thus primary production derived from photosynthesis will be the focus of this section.
Primary production represents an important energy transition: the conversion of light energy from the sun into chemical energy that can be used by autotrophs and consumed by heterotrophs. Primary production is the source of energy for all organisms, from bacteria to humans; even the fossil fuels we use today are derived from primary production. Primary production also accounts for the largest movement of carbon dioxide between Earth and the atmosphere, and it is therefore an important influence on global climate through its effect on greenhouse gas concentrations (see Chapters 2 and 25).The energy assimilated by autotrophs is stored as carbon compounds in plant and phytoplankton tissues; therefore, carbon (C) is the currency used for the measurement of primary production. The rate of primary production is sometimes referred to as primary productivity.
More on the topic The generation of chemical energy by autotrophs, known as primary production, is derived from the uptake of carbon during photosynthesis and chemosynthesis (see Chapter 5).:
- The vast majority of the autotrophic production of chemical energy on Earth occurs through photosynthesis, a process that uses sunlight to provide the energy needed to take up carbon dioxide and synthesize organic compounds, principally carbohydrates.
- CONCEPT 5.2 Radiant and chemical energy captured by autotrophs is converted into stored energy in carbon-carbon bonds.
- CONCEPT 20.1 Energy in ecosystems originates with primary production by autotrophs.
- Gross primary production is total ecosystem photosynthesis
- Net primary production is the energy remaining after respiratory losses
- Energy that is derived from the consumption of organic compounds produced by other organisms is known as secondary production.
- C4 photosynthesis lowers Photorespiratory energy loss
- Anything that influences energy gain by photosynthesis has the potential to affect the survival, growth, and reproduction of the organism.
- Long-term ecosystem development affects nutrient cycling and constraints on primary production
- The second law of thermodynamics states that during any transfer of energy, some energy is dispersed as unusable energy because of the tendency toward an increase in disorder (entropy).
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