Food Chain, Food Web and Ecological Pyramid

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, starting from producers to various levels of consumers.

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What is a food web?

Back

A food web is a complex network of interconnected food chains in an ecosystem, illustrating 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 distribution of energy, biomass, or numbers of organisms at each trophic level in an ecosystem.

Front

Who are primary consumers?

Back

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

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Who are secondary consumers?

Back

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

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What is the role of producers in a food chain?

Back

Producers, such as plants, convert sunlight into energy through photosynthesis and form the base of the food chain.

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What is the significance of arrows in a food web?

Back

In a food web, arrows indicate the direction of energy flow, pointing from the organism that is being eaten to the organism that is doing the eating.

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What is the difference between herbivores and carnivores?

Back

Herbivores are animals that eat only plants, while carnivores are animals that eat other animals.

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What is an apex predator?

Back

An apex predator is a predator at the top of the food chain that has no natural enemies and plays a crucial role in maintaining the balance of the ecosystem.

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How does energy transfer between trophic levels?

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Energy transfer between trophic levels is inefficient; typically, only about 10% of the energy is passed on to the next level, while the rest is lost as heat.