Energy Pyramids

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.

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NGSS.MS-LS1-6

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

Front

What role do producers play in an ecosystem?

Back

Producers, like plants, convert sunlight into energy through photosynthesis, forming the base of the energy pyramid.

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NGSS.MS-LS1-6

Front

What are trophic levels?

Back

Trophic levels are the different stages in a food chain or food web, representing the flow of energy from producers to various levels of consumers.

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NGSS.MS-LS2-3

Front

Why do energy pyramids have a triangular shape?

Back

Energy pyramids are triangular because energy decreases as it moves up trophic levels, with the most energy at the base and the least at the top.

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NGSS.MS-LS2-3

Front

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

Back

As energy moves up the energy pyramid, approximately 90% of the energy is lost at each trophic level due to metabolic processes, heat, and waste.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-6

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

Front

What is the primary source of energy for most ecosystems?

Back

The primary source of energy for most ecosystems is the sun.

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NGSS.MS-LS1-6

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

Front

What is a consumer in an ecosystem?

Back

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

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NGSS.MS-LS2-2

Front

What is the difference between herbivores, carnivores, and omnivores?

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Herbivores eat plants, carnivores eat other animals, and omnivores eat both plants and animals.

Front

What is a decomposer?

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

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

Front

How do changes in one trophic level affect others?

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Changes in one trophic level can impact others due to the interconnected nature of food webs; for example, if a predator population decreases, prey populations may increase.

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NGSS.MS-LS2-2

NGSS.MS-LS2-4