Flow of Energy

Front

What is the flow of energy in an ecosystem?

Back

The flow of energy in an ecosystem refers to how energy from the sun is captured by producers (like plants) and then transferred through various trophic levels as organisms consume one another.

Front

What is the 10% rule in ecology?

Back

The 10% rule states that only about 10% of the energy from one trophic level is passed on to the next level, while the rest is lost as heat or used for metabolic processes.

Front

Define producers in an ecosystem.

Back

Producers are organisms, primarily plants and some bacteria, that can make their own food through photosynthesis, serving as the primary energy source in an ecosystem.

Front

What are heterotrophs?

Back

Heterotrophs are organisms that cannot produce their own food and must consume other organisms for energy and nutrients.

Front

What role do decomposers play in an ecosystem?

Back

Decomposers break down dead organic matter, recycling nutrients back into the ecosystem and helping to maintain the flow of energy.

Front

What is a biomass pyramid?

Back

A biomass pyramid is a graphical representation showing the total mass of living matter at each trophic level in an ecosystem, typically decreasing as you move up the pyramid.

Front

Define detritivores.

Back

Detritivores are organisms that feed on dead organic matter and waste, playing a crucial role in decomposition and nutrient cycling.

Front

What is the difference between herbivores and carnivores?

Back

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

Front

What is an omnivore?

Back

An omnivore is an organism that eats both plants and animals, allowing for a more flexible diet.

Front

Explain the concept of an ecological pyramid.

Back

An ecological pyramid is a diagram that represents the distribution of energy, biomass, or numbers of organisms at each trophic level in an ecosystem.