Energy Flow Flashcard

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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, starting from producers to various levels of consumers.

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What is a food web?

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A food web is a complex network of interconnected food chains in an ecosystem, illustrating how different organisms are related through feeding relationships.

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What is a producer?

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A producer is an organism, typically a plant or algae, that can make its own food through photosynthesis, providing energy for primary consumers.

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What is a primary consumer?

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A primary consumer is an organism that eats producers; they are typically herbivores that obtain energy by consuming plants.

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What is a carnivore?

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A carnivore is an organism that primarily eats other animals for energy.

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What is an omnivore?

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

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What is a trophic level?

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A trophic level is a position in a food chain or food web, defined by how an organism obtains energy, such as producers, primary consumers, and secondary consumers.

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What happens to energy as it moves up trophic levels?

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As energy moves up trophic levels, it decreases due to energy loss through metabolic processes, heat, and waste.

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What is the role of decomposers in an ecosystem?

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Decomposers break down dead organic matter, returning nutrients to the soil and making them available for producers.

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What is an energy pyramid?

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An energy pyramid is a graphical representation that shows the flow of energy at each trophic level in an ecosystem, illustrating the decrease in energy as it moves up.