Flow of Energy

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What is the flow of energy in an ecosystem?

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The flow of energy in an ecosystem refers to the transfer of energy from one organism to another through food chains and food webs, starting from producers to various levels of consumers.

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What is a producer in an ecosystem?

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A producer is an organism that can make its own food through photosynthesis or chemosynthesis, such as plants and algae.

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What is a consumer in an ecosystem?

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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 classified as primary, secondary, or tertiary.

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What is a decomposer?

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A decomposer is an organism that breaks down dead organic matter and returns nutrients to the soil or water, such as fungi and bacteria.

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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.

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What is a food web?

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A food web is a complex network of interconnected food chains that illustrates how energy and nutrients circulate within an ecosystem.

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

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Typically, only about 10% of energy is passed from one trophic level to the next in an ecosystem.

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What is a primary consumer?

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A primary consumer is an organism that eats producers, such as herbivores that feed on plants.

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What is a secondary consumer?

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A secondary consumer is an organism that eats primary consumers, often carnivores or omnivores.

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What is a tertiary consumer?

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