Ecosystems and Energy

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What is an ecosystem?

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An ecosystem is a community of living organisms interacting with their physical environment, including both biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) components.

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What is a food web?

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A food web is a complex network of feeding relationships among various organisms in an ecosystem, showing how energy and nutrients flow through different trophic levels.

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What is a first-level consumer?

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A first-level consumer, also known as a primary consumer, is an organism that eats producers (plants) to obtain energy.

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What is a second-level consumer?

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A second-level consumer, or secondary consumer, is an organism that eats first-level consumers (herbivores) to obtain energy.

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What is a carnivore?

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A carnivore is an organism that primarily eats other animals.

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What is a herbivore?

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A herbivore is an organism that primarily eats plants.

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What is a producer?

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A producer is an organism, usually a plant, that can make its own food through photosynthesis.

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What is an omnivore?

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An omnivore is an organism that eats both plants and animals.

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

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Most of the energy is converted to heat and lost, resulting in less energy available at higher trophic levels.

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What is photosynthesis?

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Photosynthesis is the process by which green plants use sunlight to convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen.