Food Webs and Food Pyramids

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What is a food web?

Back

A food web is a complex network of interconnected food chains that shows how energy and nutrients flow through an ecosystem, illustrating the feeding relationships between various organisms.

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What is a food chain?

Back

A food chain is a linear sequence that shows how energy and nutrients are transferred from one organism to another, starting from producers to various levels of consumers.

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What do the arrows in a food chain or web represent?

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The arrows indicate the direction of energy flow between organisms, showing which organism is being eaten by another.

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What is an energy pyramid?

Back

An energy pyramid is a graphical representation that shows the distribution of energy among trophic levels in an ecosystem, with producers at the base and top predators at the apex.

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What role do producers play in a food web?

Back

Producers, such as plants and algae, convert sunlight into energy through photosynthesis, forming the base of the food web.

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What is a primary consumer?

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A primary consumer is an organism that eats producers; they are typically herbivores that obtain energy by consuming plants.

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What is a secondary consumer?

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A secondary consumer is an organism that eats primary consumers; they can be 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; they are often top predators in the food web.

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How does energy flow through an ecosystem?

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Energy flows through an ecosystem from producers to primary consumers, then to secondary consumers, and finally to tertiary consumers, with energy decreasing at each trophic level.

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What is the significance of decomposers in a food web?

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Decomposers break down dead organic matter, recycling nutrients back into the ecosystem and making them available for producers.