Energy Flow in Ecosystems

Front

What happens to population growth when a population nears its carrying capacity?

Back

Population growth slows and the birth rate and death rate become equal.

Front

Define a producer in an ecosystem.

Back

A producer is an organism that makes its own food, typically through photosynthesis.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-6

Front

Define a consumer in an ecosystem.

Back

A consumer is an organism that eats other organisms to gain energy.

Front

Define a decomposer in an ecosystem.

Back

A decomposer is an organism that breaks down dead organisms to gain energy.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

Front

What is an apex predator?

Back

An apex predator is a predator at the top of a food chain that has no natural predators.

Front

If the bird population decreases, which populations are likely to increase?

Back

Populations of organisms that the birds prey on, such as bees and grasshoppers, are likely to increase.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-2

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

Front

In a food web, what does an arrow represent?

Back

An arrow represents the flow of energy from one organism to another.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-6

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

Front

What is the role of decomposers in an ecosystem?

Back

Decomposers recycle nutrients back into the ecosystem by breaking down dead organic matter.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

Front

How many different organisms can feed on a single producer in a food web?

Back

Multiple organisms can feed on a single producer, depending on the ecosystem.

Front

What is carrying capacity?

Back

Carrying capacity is the maximum number of individuals of a species that an environment can support sustainably.