Chapter 6 - Food Webs and Trophic Pyramids

Front

What is a producer in a food web?

Back

A producer is an organism that can make its own food, typically through photosynthesis, such as phytoplankton.

Front

What is located at the bottom of a trophic pyramid?

Back

The bottom of a trophic pyramid is occupied by producers.

Front

What role do decomposers play in an ecosystem?

Back

Decomposers break down dead organic matter, recycling nutrients back into the ecosystem.

Front

Which organism is NOT a decomposer?

Back

A cardinal is NOT a decomposer; it is a consumer.

Front

What happens to predator populations when their prey populations decrease?

Back

Predator populations will typically decrease if their prey populations decrease.

Front

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

Back

Approximately 10% of energy is transferred between trophic levels.

Front

Define a food web.

Back

A food web is a complex network of feeding relationships among various organisms in an ecosystem.

Front

What is the significance of trophic pyramids in ecology?

Back

Trophic pyramids illustrate the distribution of energy and biomass among different trophic levels in an ecosystem.

Front

What are primary consumers?

Back

Primary consumers are organisms that eat producers; they are typically herbivores.

Front

What is the difference between a food chain and a food web?

Back

A food chain is a linear sequence of organisms through which nutrients and energy pass, while a food web is a more complex network of interconnected food chains.