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 are primary producers?

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Primary producers are organisms, like plants and algae, that produce their own food through photosynthesis and form the base of the food chain.

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What is a primary consumer?

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A primary consumer is an organism that eats primary producers; they are typically herbivores.

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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 usually carnivores.

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What is a quaternary consumer?

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A quaternary consumer is an organism that is at the top of the food chain and eats tertiary consumers; they are often apex predators.

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What role do decomposers play in an ecosystem?

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Decomposers break down dead organic matter, returning nutrients to the soil and making them available for primary producers.

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How does energy transfer in a food chain?

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Energy transfer in a food chain decreases at each trophic level, with only about 10% of the energy being passed on to the next level.

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What is the difference between a herbivore and a carnivore?

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