Energy Flow In an Ecosystem

Base your answer to the following question on the information provided about lichens, which are composed of two organisms, a fungus and an algae that contain chlorophyll.

Lichens may live on the bark of trees or even on bare rock. They secrete acids that tend to break up the rock they live on, helping to produce soil. As soil accumulates from the broken rock and dead lichens, other organisms, such as plants, may begin to grow.

What is the role of the algae component of a lichen in an ecosystem?

• parasite

• producer

• decomposer

• herbivore

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-6

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

organisms that are responsible for breaking down dead/decaying matter

• herbivores

• carnivores

• omnivores

• decomposers

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

organisms that eat both plants and flesh/meat

• herbivores

• carnivores

• omnivores

• producers

In an energy pyramid, the amount of energy available at each trophic level ___.

• increases

• decreases

• stays the same

• varies

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

What is the correct order of trophic levels that we see in a food chain, food web, or energy pyramid?

• producers --> primary consumers --> secondary consumers --> tertiary consumers

• tertiary consumers --> secondary consumers --> primary consumers --> producers

• primary consumers --> producers --> secondary consumers --> tertiary consumers

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-6

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

Which sequence best represents the flow of energy through an ecosystem?

• Sun → green plants → herbivores → carnivores

• consumers → carnivores → herbivores → producers

• green plants → carnivores → consumers → herbivores

• Sun → herbivores → producers → consumers

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-6

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

Base your answers on the diagram below that represents an energy pyramid in a meadow ecosystem.

Which two organisms are carnivores?

• B and D

• A and B

• C and E

• A and E

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

The diagram below represents a food pyramid in an ecosystem.

The best explanation for the decrease in the amount of energy transferred to each succeeding level is that much of the energy is...

• consumed as a food source by predators

• used in photosynthesis

• stored within inorganic materials for other consumers

• released as heat for digestion and excretion

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

A fruit fly is classified as a consumer rather than as a producer because it is unable to...

• release energy stored in organic molecules

• synthesize its own food

• reproduce asexually

• remove wastes from its body

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-6

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

all of the living things within an ecosystem

• niche

• habitat

• abiotic

• biotic