Food Chain, Food Web and Ecological Pyramid

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What is a food chain?

Back

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?

Back

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 is an ecological pyramid?

Back

An ecological pyramid is a graphical representation that shows the distribution of energy, biomass, or numbers of organisms at each trophic level in an ecosystem.

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What are producers?

Back

Producers are organisms, typically plants and algae, that can make their own food through photosynthesis, forming the base of the food chain.

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What are primary consumers?

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Primary consumers are herbivores that eat producers (plants) and are the second level in the food chain.

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What are secondary consumers?

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Secondary consumers are organisms that eat primary consumers; they can be carnivores or omnivores.

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What is an apex predator?

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An apex predator is a top-level predator with no natural enemies, which plays a crucial role in maintaining the balance of an ecosystem.

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

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Approximately 10% of energy is passed from one trophic level to the next in an ecological pyramid.

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How do herbivores fit into the food chain?

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Herbivores are primary consumers that feed on producers, transferring energy from plants to higher trophic levels.

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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 producers.