Trophic Levels

Front

What is a trophic level?

Back

A trophic level is a position in a food chain or energy pyramid that indicates the flow of energy and nutrients through an ecosystem.

Front

What are producers in an ecosystem?

Back

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

Front

What are primary consumers?

Back

Primary consumers are herbivores that eat producers to obtain energy.

Front

What are secondary consumers?

Back

Secondary consumers are carnivores that eat primary consumers for energy.

Front

What are tertiary consumers?

Back

Tertiary consumers are apex predators that eat secondary consumers and are at the top of the food chain.

Front

What is an energy pyramid?

Back

An energy pyramid is a graphical representation of the energy flow in an ecosystem, showing the amount of energy at each trophic level.

Front

How much energy is typically transferred from one trophic level to the next?

Back

Typically, only about 10% of energy is transferred from one trophic level to the next.

Front

What happens to energy as it moves up the trophic levels?

Back

As energy moves up the trophic levels, it decreases significantly due to energy loss through metabolic processes.

Front

What is the role of apex predators in an ecosystem?

Back

Apex predators help control the population of other species and maintain the balance of the ecosystem.

Front

What would happen if all producers in an ecosystem died?

Back

If all producers died, it would affect the entire ecosystem, leading to the collapse of food chains and loss of biodiversity.