Trophic Levels and Energy Pyramids

Front

What is a trophic level?

Back

A trophic level is a position in a food chain or food web that indicates the organism's role in the transfer of energy and nutrients.

Front

What percentage of energy is typically lost as heat or used by organisms at each trophic level?

Back

90% of energy is typically lost as heat or used by organisms for survival.

Front

What is the efficiency of energy transfer from one trophic level to the next?

Back

The efficiency of energy transfer from a lower trophic level to the next highest level is roughly 10%.

Front

What does biomass refer to in an ecosystem?

Back

Biomass refers to the amount of living tissue at a trophic level.

Front

What is photosynthesis?

Back

Photosynthesis is the process by which plants use energy from the sun to create food, forming the first trophic level.

Front

What is a primary producer?

Back

A primary producer is an organism that can produce its own food, typically through photosynthesis, and forms the base of the food chain.

Front

What is a carnivore?

Back

A carnivore is an organism that primarily eats other animals.

Front

What is an energy pyramid?

Back

An energy pyramid is a graphical representation of the energy flow in an ecosystem, showing the energy available at each trophic level.

Front

What is the role of decomposers in an ecosystem?

Back

Decomposers break down dead organic matter, returning nutrients to the soil and completing the nutrient cycle.

Front

What is the difference between a food chain and a food web?

Back

A food chain is a linear sequence of organisms through which nutrients and energy pass, while a food web is a complex network of interconnected food chains.