Energy Pyramid Flashcard

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, illustrating how energy decreases as it moves from producers to higher trophic levels.

Front

What are trophic levels?

Back

Trophic levels are the hierarchical levels in an ecosystem, consisting of producers (first level), primary consumers (second level), secondary consumers (third level), and so on.

Front

What is the primary source of energy for an ecosystem?

Back

The primary source of energy for an ecosystem is sunlight, which is captured by producers through photosynthesis.

Front

What are primary consumers?

Back

Primary consumers are organisms that eat producers; they are typically herbivores that obtain energy by consuming plants.

Front

What is the 10% rule in ecology?

Back

The 10% rule states that only about 10% of the energy from one trophic level is transferred to the next level, while the rest is lost as heat or used for metabolic processes.

Front

How much energy is available to secondary consumers if the primary consumers have 50 calories?

Back

According to the 10% rule, secondary consumers would receive 5 calories of energy from primary consumers.

Front

What role do decomposers play in an ecosystem?

Back

Decomposers break down dead organic matter, recycling nutrients back into the soil and making them available for producers.

Front

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

Back

As energy moves up the energy pyramid, it decreases significantly, with only a small fraction available to higher trophic levels.

Front

What are the consequences of removing decomposers from an ecosystem?

Back

Removing decomposers would disrupt nutrient cycles, leading to a buildup of dead matter and a lack of nutrients for producers.

Front

Who are the top consumers in an energy pyramid?

Back

Top consumers, also known as apex predators, are organisms at the highest trophic level that have no natural predators.