Energy Flow in Ecosystems

Front

What is energy flow in ecosystems?

Back

Energy flow in ecosystems refers to the transfer of energy from one organism to another through food chains and food webs, starting from producers to various levels of consumers.

Front

What are producers in an ecosystem?

Back

Producers, also known as autotrophs, are organisms that can make their own food through photosynthesis or chemosynthesis, forming the base of the food web.

Front

Define herbivore.

Back

An herbivore is an animal that primarily eats plants.

Front

Define carnivore.

Back

A carnivore is an animal that primarily eats other animals.

Front

What is an apex predator?

Back

An apex predator is a predator at the top of a food chain that has no natural enemies.

Front

What role do decomposers play in an ecosystem?

Back

Decomposers break down dead organic matter, returning nutrients to the soil and making them available for producers.

Front

What is a food web?

Back

A food web is a complex network of feeding relationships among various organisms in an ecosystem, illustrating how energy and nutrients flow.

Front

Explain the relationship between predator and prey populations.

Back

Predator and prey populations are interdependent; as the prey population increases, the predator population may also increase due to more available food, and vice versa.

Front

What are heterotrophs?

Back

Heterotrophs are organisms that cannot produce their own food and must consume other organisms for energy.

Front

How does energy decrease as it moves up trophic levels?

Back

Energy decreases as it moves up trophic levels due to energy loss through metabolic processes, heat, and waste, typically following the 10% rule.