Energy Pyramid Quick Check

Front

What is an energy pyramid?

Back

An energy pyramid is a graphical representation that shows the flow of energy through different trophic levels in an ecosystem, illustrating how energy decreases as it moves from producers to apex predators.

Front

What are producers in an energy pyramid?

Back

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

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What are primary consumers?

Back

Primary consumers are herbivores that eat producers. They are the second level in the energy pyramid.

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What are secondary consumers?

Back

Secondary consumers are carnivores that eat primary consumers. They are typically the third level in the energy pyramid.

Front

What are apex predators?

Back

Apex predators are the top predators in an ecosystem with no natural enemies, often found at the highest level of the energy pyramid.

Front

How much energy is typically transferred from producers to primary consumers?

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Typically, only about 10% of the energy from producers is transferred to primary consumers.

Front

What happens to the energy as it moves up the energy pyramid?

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

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What is a trophic level?

Back

A trophic level is a position in a food chain or energy pyramid that indicates the organism's role in the flow of energy, such as producers, primary consumers, and so on.

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What role do herbivores play in the energy pyramid?

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Herbivores, or primary consumers, play the role of transferring energy from producers to higher trophic levels by consuming plants.

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Why are apex predators important in an ecosystem?

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Apex predators help maintain the balance of ecosystems by controlling the populations of other species, which can prevent overgrazing and promote biodiversity.