Energy pyramids/trophic levels

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.

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, such as plants, convert sunlight into energy through photosynthesis and form the base of the energy pyramid.

Front

How much 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

What is a herbivore?

Back

A herbivore is an organism that primarily eats plants and is found at the second trophic level in an energy pyramid.

Front

What is a carnivore?

Back

A carnivore is an organism that primarily eats other animals and is found at higher trophic levels in an energy pyramid.

Front

What is a top predator?

Back

A top predator is an organism that is at the highest trophic level in an ecosystem and has no natural predators.

Front

Why do top predators have the least amount of energy available?

Back

Top predators have the least amount of energy available because energy decreases as it moves up trophic levels due to energy loss at each level.

Front

What is photosynthesis?

Back

Photosynthesis is the process by which producers, like plants, convert sunlight into chemical energy.

Front

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

Back

As energy moves up the energy pyramid, it decreases due to energy loss through metabolic processes and heat.