Ecosystem Interactions and Predictions Flashcard

Front

What is a trophic level?

Back

A trophic level is a position in a food chain or food web that indicates the flow of energy and nutrients through an ecosystem, typically categorized as producers, primary consumers, secondary consumers, and tertiary consumers.

Front

What role do producers play in an ecosystem?

Back

Producers, such as plants and algae, convert sunlight into energy through photosynthesis, forming the base of the food chain and providing energy for all other trophic levels.

Front

Define primary consumers.

Back

Primary consumers are organisms that eat producers; they are typically herbivores that obtain energy by consuming plants.

Front

What are secondary consumers?

Back

Secondary consumers are organisms that eat primary consumers; they can be carnivores or omnivores that obtain energy by consuming herbivores.

Front

What is the role of decomposers in an ecosystem?

Back

Decomposers break down dead organisms and waste, returning essential nutrients to the soil or water, thus recycling matter in the ecosystem.

Front

Explain the flow of energy in a food chain.

Back

Energy flows from producers to primary consumers, then to secondary consumers, and finally to decomposers, with each step representing a transfer of energy.

Front

What happens to producers if primary consumers are reduced?

Back

If primary consumers are reduced, producers may increase due to less predation, allowing more plants to grow.

Front

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

Back

A food chain is a linear sequence of organisms where each is eaten by the next, while a food web is a complex network of interconnected food chains in an ecosystem.

Front

What is biomass?

Back

Biomass refers to the total mass of living matter in a given area or volume, often used to measure the energy available at different trophic levels.

Front

Define energy pyramid.

Back

An energy pyramid is a graphical representation that shows the flow of energy at each trophic level in an ecosystem, illustrating that energy decreases as it moves up the pyramid.