Food Chains and Webs

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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, starting from producers to various levels of consumers.

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What is a food web?

Back

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, like plants and algae, that create their own food through photosynthesis and serve as the base of the food chain.

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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. They can be herbivores, carnivores, or omnivores.

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What is an omnivore?

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An omnivore is an animal that eats both plants and animals for energy.

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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 that indicates the flow of energy and nutrients, such as producers, primary consumers, and secondary consumers.

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What percentage of energy is typically passed on to the next trophic level?

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Typically, only 10% of the energy is passed on to the next trophic level in an ecosystem.

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What is the role of phytoplankton in aquatic ecosystems?

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Phytoplankton are microscopic plants that serve as primary producers in aquatic ecosystems, forming the base of the food web.

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What is a primary consumer?

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A primary consumer is an organism that eats producers, such as herbivores that feed on plants.

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What is a secondary consumer?

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A secondary consumer is an organism that eats primary consumers, typically carnivores or omnivores.