Food webs, cycling of matter and flow of energy

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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 energy and nutrients flow through an ecosystem.

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NGSS.MS-LS2-2

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

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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, representing the flow of energy from one level to the next.

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NGSS.MS-LS2-3

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What are producers?

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Producers are organisms, like plants, that create their own food through photosynthesis and form the base of the food web.

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NGSS.MS-LS1-6

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What are consumers?

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Consumers are organisms that cannot produce their own food and rely on eating other organisms for energy.

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NGSS.MS-LS2-2

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What are decomposers?

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Decomposers are organisms, such as fungi and bacteria, that break down dead organic matter, returning nutrients to the soil.

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NGSS.MS-LS2-3

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What is the flow of energy in a food web?

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Energy flows from producers to consumers and then to decomposers, with each transfer losing some energy as heat.

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NGSS.MS-LS2-3

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What is an energy pyramid?

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An energy pyramid is a graphical representation showing the energy available at each trophic level in an ecosystem.

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NGSS.MS-LS2-3

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What happens to energy as it moves up the trophic levels?

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As energy moves up the trophic levels, it decreases, with only about 10% of the energy being transferred to the next level.

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NGSS.MS-LS2-3

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What is the role of herbivores in a food web?

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Herbivores are primary consumers that eat producers and serve as a food source for secondary consumers.

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NGSS.MS-LS2-3

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What is the significance of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere?

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Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change; its levels rise when fossil fuels are burned.

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NGSS.MS-ESS3-4

NGSS.MS-ESS3-5