Food Webs and Chains

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What is a food web?

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A food web is a complex network of interconnected food chains in an ecosystem, showing how energy and nutrients flow between different organisms.

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What is a food chain?

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A food chain is a linear sequence of organisms through which nutrients and energy pass as one organism eats another.

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What role do producers play in a food web?

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Producers, such as plants and algae, convert sunlight into energy through photosynthesis, forming the base of the food web.

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What are primary consumers?

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Primary consumers are organisms that eat producers; they are typically herbivores, such as rabbits and insects.

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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, such as small fish or birds.

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What are tertiary consumers?

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Tertiary consumers are predators that eat secondary consumers; they are often at the top of the food chain, like large fish or hawks.

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What is an energy pyramid?

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An energy pyramid is a graphical representation showing the flow of energy at each trophic level in an ecosystem, with energy decreasing as you move up.

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What does the direction of arrows in a food chain indicate?

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The arrows in a food chain indicate the direction of energy flow, showing how energy is transferred from one organism to another.

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What happens to a food web if a key species is removed?

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Removing a key species can disrupt the balance of the food web, leading to population declines or increases in other species.

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What is the impact of pesticides on food chains?

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Pesticides can kill primary consumers, which can lead to a decline in secondary and tertiary consumers due to lack of food.