Food Chain, Food Web and Ecological Pyramid

Front

What is a food chain?

Back

A food chain is a linear sequence of organisms through which nutrients and energy pass as one organism eats another.

Front

What is a food web?

Back

A food web is a complex network of interconnected food chains in an ecosystem, showing how different organisms are related through feeding relationships.

Front

What is an ecological pyramid?

Back

An ecological pyramid is a graphical representation that shows the relative amounts of energy or biomass at each trophic level in an ecosystem.

Front

Define primary consumers.

Back

Primary consumers are organisms that eat only plants (herbivores) and are the second trophic level in a food chain.

Front

Define secondary consumers.

Back

Secondary consumers are organisms that eat primary consumers (herbivores) and can be carnivores or omnivores.

Front

What is a tertiary consumer?

Back

A tertiary consumer is an organism that eats secondary consumers and is typically at the top of the food chain.

Front

What percentage of energy is transferred from one trophic level to the next?

Back

Approximately 10% of energy is transferred from one trophic level to the next in an ecological pyramid.

Front

What role do decomposers play in an ecosystem?

Back

Decomposers break down dead organic matter, returning nutrients to the soil and making them available for plants.

Front

How do arrows in a food web function?

Back

In a food web, arrows point to the organism that receives energy, indicating the direction of energy flow.

Front

What is the difference between herbivores and carnivores?

Back

Herbivores are primary consumers that eat plants, while carnivores are secondary consumers that eat other animals.