Biology 12C Energy Pyramids and Food Webs

Front

What is an energy pyramid?

Back

An energy pyramid is a graphical representation that shows the flow of energy through different trophic levels in an ecosystem, illustrating how energy decreases as it moves from producers to top consumers.

Front

What is a trophic level?

Back

A trophic level is a position in a food chain or energy pyramid that indicates the organism's role in the flow of energy, such as producers, primary consumers, secondary consumers, and tertiary consumers.

Front

How much energy is typically transferred from one trophic level to the next?

Back

Typically, only about 10% of the energy from one trophic level is transferred to the next level, while the rest is lost as heat.

Front

What is the role of producers in an energy pyramid?

Back

Producers, such as plants, are at the base of the energy pyramid and convert solar energy into chemical energy through photosynthesis, providing energy for all other trophic levels.

Front

What happens to energy as it moves up the energy pyramid?

Back

As energy moves up the energy pyramid, it decreases significantly due to energy loss through metabolic processes, heat, and other factors.

Front

What is a food web?

Back

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

Front

What is the difference between a food chain and a food web?

Back

A food chain is a linear sequence of organisms where each is eaten by the next, while a food web is a more complex representation that includes multiple food chains and interactions.

Front

What is the significance of decomposers in an ecosystem?

Back

Decomposers break down dead organic matter, returning nutrients to the soil and making them available for producers, thus playing a crucial role in nutrient cycling.

Front

What is biomass in the context of an energy pyramid?

Back

Biomass refers to the total mass of living matter at each trophic level in an energy pyramid, which typically decreases as you move up the pyramid.

Front

What is the primary source of energy for most ecosystems?

Back

The primary source of energy for most ecosystems is sunlight, which is harnessed by producers through photosynthesis.