Food webs, cycling of matter and flow of energy

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 primary source of energy for most ecosystems?

Back

The primary source of energy for most ecosystems is the sun.

Front

What is a producer?

Back

A producer is an organism that can make its own food through photosynthesis or chemosynthesis, such as plants.

Front

What is a consumer?

Back

A consumer is an organism that cannot produce its own food and must eat other organisms for 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.

Front

What is the flow of energy in a food chain?

Back

Energy flows from producers to consumers and then to decomposers in a food chain.

Front

What is a trophic level?

Back

A trophic level is a position in a food chain or food web, representing the flow of energy and nutrients.

Front

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

Back

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

Front

What is the role of herbivores in a food web?

Back

Herbivores are primary consumers that eat producers (plants) and transfer energy to higher trophic levels.

Front

What is the role of carnivores in a food web?

Back

Carnivores are secondary or tertiary consumers that eat other consumers and help regulate populations.