Energy Flow

Front

What is an Autotroph?

Back

An organism that creates its own energy from sunlight or chemicals.

Front

What is a Consumer?

Back

An organism that cannot produce its own food and must eat other organisms for energy.

Front

Define Scavenger/Detritivore.

Back

Organisms that feed on dead, rotting organisms (roadkill).

Front

Why can't the top level of an energy pyramid contain a large number of organisms?

Back

Because as energy moves from the bottom to the top level, less and less energy is available to higher levels.

Front

What are Trophic Levels represented by?

Back

Pyramids.

Front

What is a Producer?

Back

An organism that can make its own food, typically through photosynthesis.

Front

What is a Herbivore?

Back

An organism that primarily eats plants.

Front

What is a Heterotroph?

Back

An organism that cannot produce its own food and relies on consuming other organisms.

Front

What percentage of energy is typically transferred from one trophic level to the next?

Back

About 10%.

Front

What role do decomposers play in an ecosystem?

Back

They break down dead organisms and recycle nutrients back into the soil.