Food Chains and Energy Pyramids

Front

What is succession in an ecosystem?

Back

Succession is the process of change in the species structure of an ecological community over time, especially following a disturbance.

Front

What do living things obtain from their environment?

Back

Living things obtain matter from their environment and release waste back into it.

Front

How much energy from the base of the energy pyramid reaches the top consumer?

Back

Some of it; both the grass and cattle release some energy as heat before it reaches the human consumer.

Front

What is the effect of a volcanic eruption on an ecosystem?

Back

A volcanic eruption causes a fast change to the ecosystem, and the effects can last for a long time.

Front

What do all food chains have in common?

Back

All food chains begin with a producer.

Front

What is a producer in a food chain?

Back

A producer is an organism that can make its own food, typically through photosynthesis, like plants.

Front

What is a consumer in a food chain?

Back

A consumer is an organism that eats other organisms for energy, such as animals.

Front

What is an energy pyramid?

Back

An energy pyramid is a graphical representation that shows the flow of energy at each trophic level in an ecosystem.

Front

What happens to energy as it moves up the food chain?

Back

As energy moves up the food chain, it decreases because some energy is lost as heat at each trophic level.

Front

What is a trophic level?

Back

A trophic level is a position in a food chain or food web, such as producer, primary consumer, or secondary consumer.