Unit 7 - Ecology - Communities

Front

The movement of energy around an ecosystem by biotic and abiotic means.

Back

Energy flow

Front

A linear sequence of organisms through which nutrients and energy pass as one organism eats another.

Back

Food chain

Front

A complex network of interlinked food chains in an ecosystem.

Back

Food web

Front

A graphical representation showing the flow of energy at each trophic level in an ecosystem.

Back

Energy pyramid

Front

Only about 10% of the energy at each trophic level is passed on to the next level.

Back

Rule of 10%

Front

An organism, usually a plant or algae, that produces its own food through photosynthesis.

Back

Producer

Front

An organism that eats producers; also known as a primary consumer.

Back

First-order or primary consumer

Front

An organism that eats first-order consumers; also known as a secondary consumer.

Back

Second-order or secondary consumer

Front

An organism that eats second-order consumers; also known as a tertiary consumer.

Back

Third-order consumer

Front

An organism, such as bacteria or fungi, that breaks down dead organic material.

Back

Decomposer