Energy Pyramids

Front

What is an Energy Pyramid?

Back

A graphical representation showing the amount of energy available at each trophic level in an ecosystem.

Front

Why is a pyramid shape used to represent energy transfer?

Back

Because energy decreases as you go up the food chain, similar to how a pyramid gets smaller as you go up.

Front

If there are 1000 Kcal available at the producers level, how much energy is available at the primary consumers level?

Back

100 Kcal.

Front

What is the average amount of energy transferred from one trophic level to the next?

Back

10%.

Front

What happens to energy as it moves up the trophic levels?

Back

Energy decreases as it moves up the trophic levels.

Front

What are producers in an energy pyramid?

Back

Organisms that produce energy through photosynthesis, such as plants.

Front

What are primary consumers?

Back

Organisms that eat producers, such as herbivores.

Front

What are secondary consumers?

Back

Organisms that eat primary consumers, such as carnivores.

Front

What is a trophic level?

Back

Each step in a food chain or food web, representing a different level of energy transfer.

Front

How much energy is typically lost at each trophic level?

Back

About 90% of energy is lost at each trophic level.