Trophic Level Identification

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What is a trophic level?

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A trophic level is a position in a food chain or food web that indicates the flow of energy and nutrients from one organism to another.

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What is a producer in a food chain?

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A producer is an organism, usually a plant, that can make its own food through photosynthesis and forms the base of the food chain.

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What is a primary consumer?

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

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What is a secondary consumer?

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

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What is a tertiary consumer?

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A tertiary consumer is an organism that eats secondary consumers; they are usually carnivores.

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What is a quaternary consumer?

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A quaternary consumer is an organism that eats tertiary consumers; they are at the top of the food chain.

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What role do decomposers play in an ecosystem?

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Decomposers break down dead organic matter, returning nutrients to the soil and helping to recycle energy in the ecosystem.

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What is a food chain?

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A food chain is a linear sequence that shows how energy and nutrients flow from one organism to another in an ecosystem.

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What is a food web?

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A food web is a complex network of interconnected food chains that shows how different organisms are related through feeding relationships.

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What is an example of a quaternary consumer?

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An example of a quaternary consumer is an osprey, which can eat tertiary consumers like pike.