Food Webs: Cycling of Matter and Flow of Energy

Front

What is a decomposer?

Back

A decomposer is an organism that breaks down dead or decaying organic material, returning nutrients to the soil. An example of a decomposer is a worm.

Front

What process do plants use to make their own food?

Back

Photosynthesis is the chemical process by which plants make their own food using sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water.

Front

What is cellular respiration?

Back

Cellular respiration is the process by which living organisms convert food into energy. It occurs in the cells of organisms.

Front

What is a food web?

Back

A food web is a complex network of interconnected food chains that shows how energy and nutrients flow through an ecosystem.

Front

What is the ultimate source of energy on Earth?

Back

The sun is the ultimate source of energy on Earth, providing the energy necessary for photosynthesis and life.

Front

What role do producers play in a food web?

Back

Producers, such as plants, create their own food through photosynthesis and serve as the base of the food web.

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 network of multiple food chains.

Front

What is the significance of decomposers in an ecosystem?

Back

Decomposers recycle nutrients back into the soil, making them available for producers and maintaining the health of the ecosystem.

Front

How does energy flow through a food web?

Back

Energy flows through a food web from producers to various levels of consumers, with each level using some energy for growth and metabolism.

Front

What is the role of consumers in a food web?

Back

Consumers are organisms that eat other organisms (producers or other consumers) to obtain energy.