Ecology: Food Webs and Energy Flow

Front

What is a food web?

Back

A food web is a complex network of interconnected food chains in an ecosystem, showing how energy and nutrients flow between different organisms.

Front

What is the primary source of energy for most ecosystems?

Back

The primary source of energy for most ecosystems is the sun, which is harnessed by producers through photosynthesis.

Front

Define trophic level.

Back

A trophic level is a position in a food chain or food web, representing the flow of energy and nutrients from one level to the next.

Front

How much energy is typically transferred from one trophic level to the next?

Back

Typically, about 10% of the energy is transferred from one trophic level to the next.

Front

What are producers in an ecosystem?

Back

Producers are organisms, such as plants and phytoplankton, that produce their own food through photosynthesis and form the base of the food web.

Front

What are primary consumers?

Back

Primary consumers are herbivores that eat producers, such as rabbits and zooplankton.

Front

What are secondary consumers?

Back

Secondary consumers are carnivores that eat primary consumers, such as snakes and small fish.

Front

What are tertiary consumers?

Back

Tertiary consumers are top predators that eat secondary consumers, such as hawks and larger fish.

Front

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

Back

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

Front

What is the role of decomposers in an ecosystem?

Back

Decomposers break down dead organic matter, recycling nutrients back into the ecosystem.