Energy Pyramid

Front

What is an energy pyramid?

Back

An energy pyramid is a graphical representation that shows the flow of energy through different trophic levels in an ecosystem, illustrating how energy decreases as it moves from producers to apex predators.

Front

What percentage of energy is typically transferred from one trophic level to the next in an energy pyramid?

Back

Typically, only about 10% of energy is transferred from one trophic level to the next, while approximately 90% is lost as heat.

Front

What are producers in an energy pyramid?

Back

Producers are organisms, such as plants, that create their own energy through photosynthesis, forming the base of the energy pyramid.

Front

What role do primary consumers play in an energy pyramid?

Back

Primary consumers are herbivores that eat producers and obtain energy from them, representing the second level of the energy pyramid.

Front

What are secondary consumers?

Back

Secondary consumers are organisms that eat primary consumers, typically carnivores or omnivores, and occupy the third level of the energy pyramid.

Front

What is an apex predator?

Back

An apex predator is a top-level predator in an ecosystem that has no natural enemies and is at the highest level of the energy pyramid.

Front

How does energy decrease as you move up the energy pyramid?

Back

Energy decreases by about 90% at each trophic level due to energy loss through metabolic processes, heat, and waste.

Front

Where do producers primarily get their energy from?

Back

Producers primarily get their energy from the Sun through the process of photosynthesis.

Front

What is the 10% rule in ecology?

Back

The 10% rule states that only about 10% of the energy from one trophic level is passed on to the next level in an energy pyramid.

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.