Ecosystems: Food chain and web

Front

What is an ecosystem?

Back

An ecosystem is a community of living organisms (plants, animals, and microorganisms) interacting with their physical environment (air, water, soil).

Front

What is a food chain?

Back

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

Front

What is a food web?

Back

A food web is a complex network of interconnected food chains in an ecosystem, showing how different organisms are related through feeding relationships.

Front

What are producers?

Back

Producers are organisms, like plants, that make their own food through photosynthesis and provide energy for other organisms in the ecosystem.

Front

What are consumers?

Back

Consumers are organisms that cannot produce their own food and rely on eating other organisms (plants or animals) for energy.

Front

What are decomposers?

Back

Decomposers are organisms, like fungi and bacteria, that break down dead organic matter and recycle nutrients back into the ecosystem.

Front

What is the primary source of energy in a food web?

Back

The primary source of energy in a food web is the sun.

Front

What are abiotic factors?

Back

Abiotic factors are non-living components of an ecosystem, such as water, sunlight, soil, and temperature.

Front

What are biotic factors?

Back

Biotic factors are the living components of an ecosystem, including plants, animals, and microorganisms.

Front

How do energy and nutrients flow in an ecosystem?

Back

Energy flows from producers to consumers and then to decomposers, while nutrients are recycled by decomposers back into the soil.