Illustrating Feeding Relationships

Which of the following pyramids can NEVER be inverted?

• Pyramid of Numbers

• Pyramid of Biomass

• Pyramid of Energy

• All can be inverted

This type of pyramid shows the dry mass of organisms for each trophic level

• Biomass pyramid
• Energy pyramid
• Food pyramid
• Population pyramid

What is NOT true of an inverted pyramid?

• upside down

• the bottom layer (producer) is the smallest and not the largest.

• can happen if the producer is very large and the consumers are small

• occurs because a standing crop has been used: the number of phytoplankton present at a particular moment in time.

• The producer does not always have to be the smallest.

Why is it best to use dry mass to produce pyramids of Biomass?

• Dry mass reduces the risk of contamination in the biomass production.
• Dry mass allows for a more efficient production process.
• Dry mass is easier to measure than wet mass.
• Wet mass is unreliable and not part of the biomass

What does the Pyramid of Energy represent?

• The energy content of organisms at each trophic level

• The number of organisms at each trophic level

• The biomass of organisms at each trophic level

• The population of organisms at each trophic level

Why can't the Pyramid of Energy be inverted?

• Because energy is always lost at each trophic level

• Because the producer is always the largest

• Because the consumers are always smaller

• Because the energy content is always the same at each level