Flow of Energy

Front

What is the flow of energy in an ecosystem?

Back

The flow of energy in an ecosystem refers to the transfer of energy from one organism to another through food chains and food webs, starting from producers to consumers and decomposers.

Front

What is a producer?

Back

A producer is an organism that can make its own food using sunlight or chemical energy, such as plants and algae.

Front

What is a consumer?

Back

A consumer is an organism that obtains energy by eating other organisms, including herbivores, carnivores, and omnivores.

Front

What is a decomposer?

Back

A decomposer is an organism that breaks down dead organic matter and recycles nutrients back into the ecosystem, such as fungi and bacteria.

Front

What is a food chain?

Back

A food chain is a linear sequence that shows how energy and nutrients flow from one organism to another in an ecosystem.

Front

What is a food web?

Back

A food web is a complex network of interconnected food chains that illustrates how energy and nutrients circulate within an ecosystem.

Front

What percentage of energy is typically passed on to the next trophic level?

Back

Typically, only about 10% of energy is passed on to the next trophic level in an energy pyramid.

Front

What is the role of decomposers in the energy pyramid?

Back

Decomposers break down organic matter and release nutrients back into the soil, which supports producers and maintains the energy flow.

Front

What do the arrows in a food chain represent?

Back

The arrows in a food chain represent the direction in which energy is flowing from one organism to another.

Front

What is a trophic level?

Back

A trophic level is a position in a food chain or food web that indicates the organism's role in the flow of energy, such as producers, primary consumers, and secondary consumers.