Flashcard: Food Chains and Food Webs

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What is a food chain?

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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?

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

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What is a producer?

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A producer is an organism, typically a plant, that can make its own food through photosynthesis, serving as the base of the food chain.

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What is a consumer?

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A consumer is an organism that cannot produce its own food and must eat other organisms for energy. Consumers can be herbivores, carnivores, or omnivores.

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What is a decomposer?

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A decomposer is an organism, such as fungi or bacteria, that breaks down dead organic material, recycling nutrients back into the ecosystem.

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What is an herbivore?

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An herbivore is an animal that primarily eats plants.

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What is a carnivore?

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A carnivore is an animal that primarily eats other animals.

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What is an omnivore?

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An omnivore is an animal that eats both plants and animals.

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What role do mushrooms play in an ecosystem?

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Mushrooms act as decomposers, breaking down dead and decaying organic matter, which helps recycle nutrients in the ecosystem.

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What is the significance of the sun in a food chain?

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The sun is the primary energy source for most food chains, providing the energy needed for photosynthesis in producers.