Energy in an Ecosystem

The primary producer in an ecosystem is _____?

• autotrophs

• heterotrophs

• Soil nutrients

• Wind energy

Classification of organisms based on how they obtain their energy in an ecosystem includes: 1. Autotrophs 2. ________.

• Heterotrophs

• Decomposers

• Parasites

• Mixotrophs

Which of the following is a characteristic of autotrophs?

• A) They consume other organisms for energy.

• B) They produce their own food using sunlight.

• C) They decompose dead matter.

Fill in the blank: Organisms that contain ________ absorb energy during photosynthesis and use it to convert carbon dioxide and water to organic molecules.

• chlorophyll

• carotenoids

• xanthophyll

• respiratory pigments

In a food chain, what percentage of energy is transferred from one trophic level to the next?

• 10%

• 5%

• 15%

• 20%

Food chain is:

• simple model of the flow of energy

• a chain used to display food items

• an ecosystem of producers and consumers

• a network of competitive food markets

Identify the description of a food web.

• A single chain of predation.

• A diagram that shows many interconnected food chains

• A diagram that explains the genetics of populations.

• A collection of food recipes used in a restaurant.

True or False: In a food web, organisms feed on more than one species.

• True

• False

Match the following terms with their definitions in an ecosystem:

• Organisms that break down dead material

• Herbivores

• Consumers that eat both plants and animals

• Carnivores

• Secondary consumers

• Omnivores

• Primary consumers

• Decomposers

In the energy pyramid, the organism with the least amount of energy available is the (a)   .

• Producers
• Herbivores
• Carnivores
• Top Predator