Energy pyramids/trophic levels

Front

What is an energy pyramid?

Back

An energy pyramid is a graphical representation that shows the amount of energy available at each trophic level in an ecosystem.

Front

What are trophic levels?

Back

Trophic levels are the different levels in a food chain or food web, representing the flow of energy from producers to various levels of consumers.

Front

What is the role of producers in an energy pyramid?

Back

Producers, like plants, are at the base of the energy pyramid and convert sunlight into energy through photosynthesis.

Front

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

Back

Typically, only about 10% of the energy is transferred from one trophic level to the next.

Front

Who are primary consumers?

Back

Primary consumers are herbivores that eat producers, such as grasshoppers that eat plants.

Front

What is a secondary consumer?

Back

A secondary consumer is an organism that eats primary consumers, such as a mouse that eats grasshoppers.

Front

What is a tertiary consumer?

Back

A tertiary consumer is an organism that eats secondary consumers, such as an owl that eats mice.

Front

What are decomposers?

Back

Decomposers are organisms that break down dead organic material, returning nutrients to the soil.

Front

How does energy flow in an energy pyramid?

Back

Energy flows from the bottom of the pyramid (producers) to the top (tertiary consumers), decreasing at each level.

Front

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

Back

A food chain shows a linear path of energy flow, while a food web shows interconnected food chains in an ecosystem.