Trophic Levels

Front

What is a trophic level?

Back

A trophic level is a position in a food chain or food web that indicates the organism's role in the flow of energy and nutrients through an ecosystem.

Front

What are producers in an ecosystem?

Back

Producers are organisms, typically plants or algae, that can make their own food through photosynthesis and form the base of the food chain.

Front

What is a primary consumer?

Back

A primary consumer is an organism that eats producers; they are typically herbivores.

Front

What is a secondary consumer?

Back

A secondary consumer is an organism that eats primary consumers; they can be carnivores or omnivores.

Front

What type of organisms are usually at the top of the food chain?

Back

Carnivores are usually at the top of the food chain, as they have no natural predators.

Front

What do the arrows in a food chain represent?

Back

The arrows in a food chain or web represent the direction of energy flow between organisms.

Front

What is an example of a tertiary consumer?

Back

An example of a tertiary consumer is a hawk that eats snakes, which are secondary consumers.

Front

How does energy transfer between trophic levels?

Back

Energy transfer between trophic levels is inefficient; typically, only about 10% of the energy is passed on to the next level.

Front

What is the role of decomposers in an ecosystem?

Back

Decomposers break down dead organic matter, returning nutrients to the soil and completing the nutrient cycle.

Front

What is the difference between herbivores and carnivores?

Back

Herbivores are animals that primarily eat plants, while carnivores are animals that primarily eat other animals.