Energy Pyramids

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 role do producers play in an energy pyramid?

Back

Producers, such as plants, are the first trophic level in an energy pyramid. They convert sunlight into energy through photosynthesis, providing the foundation for all other levels.

Front

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

Back

As energy moves up the energy pyramid, it decreases significantly at each trophic level, typically losing about 90% of the energy due to metabolic processes and heat.

Front

What is a primary consumer?

Back

A primary consumer is an organism that eats producers (plants) to obtain energy. Examples include herbivores like rabbits and deer.

Front

What is a secondary consumer?

Back

A secondary consumer is an organism that eats primary consumers. Examples include carnivores like snakes and some birds.

Front

What is a tertiary consumer?

Back

A tertiary consumer is an organism that eats secondary consumers. They are often top predators in an ecosystem, such as eagles or lions.

Front

What is a decomposer?

Back

A decomposer is an organism that breaks down dead plants and animals, returning nutrients to the soil. Examples include fungi and bacteria.

Front

What would happen if primary consumers died out?

Back

If primary consumers died out, producers would grow unchecked, but secondary and tertiary consumers would eventually die due to lack of food.

Front

What is a heterotroph?

Back

A heterotroph is an organism that cannot produce its own food and must consume other organisms for energy. This includes all consumers.

Front

What would happen if there were no producers in an ecosystem?

Back

If there were no producers, all consumers would eventually die out due to lack of food, leading to the collapse of the ecosystem.