Matter and Energy in the Environment 2

Front

What is a food chain?

Back

A food chain is a linear sequence that shows how energy and nutrients flow from one organism to another in an ecosystem, typically starting with a producer and ending with a top predator.

Front

What is a food web?

Back

A food web is a complex network of interconnected food chains that illustrates the feeding relationships among various organisms in an ecosystem.

Front

What is the primary source of energy for most ecosystems?

Back

The Sun is the primary source of energy for most ecosystems, providing the energy needed for photosynthesis in plants.

Front

What is a producer in an ecosystem?

Back

A producer is an organism, typically a plant or algae, that can make its own food through photosynthesis, forming the base of the food chain.

Front

What is a consumer?

Back

A consumer is an organism that cannot produce its own food and must eat other organisms (plants or animals) to obtain energy.

Front

What is a herbivore?

Back

A herbivore is a type of consumer that primarily eats plants.

Front

What is a carnivore?

Back

A carnivore is a type of consumer that primarily eats other animals.

Front

What is a detritivore?

Back

A detritivore is an organism that feeds on dead organic matter, breaking it down and recycling nutrients back into the ecosystem.

Front

What is energy flow in an ecosystem?

Back

Energy flow in an ecosystem refers to the transfer of energy from one organism to another through food chains and food webs, typically moving in one direction from producers to various levels of consumers.

Front

What is the role of decomposers in an ecosystem?

Back

Decomposers break down dead organisms and waste, returning essential nutrients to the soil and making them available for producers.