M2L2 Energy Flow in Ecosystems

Front

What is an Autotroph?

Back

An organism that can make its own food, typically through photosynthesis or chemosynthesis.

Front

What is a Heterotroph?

Back

An organism that cannot make its own food and must consume other organisms for energy.

Front

What happens to 90% of energy as it moves up the trophic levels?

Back

It is metabolized and 'lost' as heat energy and waste.

Front

What are the PRODUCERS in a food web?

Back

Organisms that produce their own food, such as plants like wildflowers and grass.

Front

What are Omnivores?

Back

Organisms that eat both plants and animals.

Front

What are Detritivores?

Back

Organisms that break down and recycle dead and decaying organisms in an ecosystem.

Front

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

Back

Only 10% of the energy is passed on.

Front

What is a Trophic Level?

Back

A level in a food chain or food web, representing the flow of energy from producers to various levels of consumers.

Front

What role do Decomposers play in an ecosystem?

Back

They break down dead organisms and recycle nutrients back into the ecosystem.

Front

What is a Food Chain?

Back

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