Energy Flow in Ecosystems Flashcard

Front

What is the role of plants in an ecosystem?

Back

Plants are producers that convert sunlight into energy.

Front

How do animals obtain energy from the sun?

Back

Animals eat plants or other animals to obtain energy that originally came from the sun.

Front

Where does the energy in animals' food come from?

Back

The energy in animals' food originally comes from the sun.

Front

What do decomposers do in an ecosystem?

Back

Decomposers break down dead organisms, returning nutrients to the soil.

Front

What is the primary source of energy for plants?

Back

Sunlight.

Front

What are producers in an ecosystem?

Back

Producers are organisms that create their own food using sunlight, such as plants.

Front

What are consumers in an ecosystem?

Back

Consumers are organisms that eat other organisms for energy, such as animals.

Front

What is the function of decomposers?

Back

Decomposers recycle nutrients by breaking down dead matter.

Front

What is photosynthesis?

Back

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

Front

What is the food chain?

Back

The food chain is a sequence that shows how energy and nutrients flow from one organism to another in an ecosystem.