Food Chains, Webs, Pyramids

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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, starting from producers to various levels of consumers.

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What is a food web?

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

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What are producers?

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Producers are organisms, typically plants, that create their own food through photosynthesis and serve as the base of the food chain.

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What are herbivores?

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Herbivores are animals that primarily eat plants and are the first level of consumers in a food chain.

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What are carnivores?

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Carnivores are animals that primarily eat other animals and can be secondary or tertiary consumers in a food chain.

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What are omnivores?

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Omnivores are organisms that eat both plants and animals, functioning at multiple levels in a food chain.

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What are decomposers?

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Decomposers are organisms, such as bacteria and fungi, that break down dead organic matter, recycling nutrients back into the ecosystem.

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What is an energy pyramid?

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

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How much energy is typically lost at each trophic level?

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Typically, about 90% of energy is lost at each trophic level due to metabolic processes and heat.

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What is a trophic level?

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