Energy Pyramids

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 top predators.

Front

What percentage of energy is typically lost at each trophic level?

Back

Typically, 90% of energy is lost at each trophic level due to heat and metabolic processes.

Front

What is the role of producers in an energy pyramid?

Back

Producers, such as plants, are the first trophic level and convert solar energy into chemical energy through photosynthesis, providing energy for herbivores.

Front

How much energy do herbivores receive from producers?

Back

Herbivores receive about 10% of the energy that producers have stored.

Front

What happens to the energy as it moves up the energy pyramid?

Back

As energy moves up the energy pyramid, it decreases, meaning that each successive trophic level has less energy available.

Front

What is a trophic level?

Back

A trophic level is a position in a food chain or energy pyramid that represents the flow of energy from one level to the next.

Front

Who are the top predators in an energy pyramid?

Back

Top predators are organisms at the highest trophic level that have no natural enemies and are at the end of the food chain.

Front

Why is the shape of the energy pyramid important?

Back

The pyramid shape visually represents the decrease in available energy at higher trophic levels, illustrating that fewer organisms can be supported as energy decreases.

Front

What is the significance of the 10% rule in ecology?

Back

The 10% rule states that only about 10% of the energy from one trophic level is transferred to the next, limiting the number of trophic levels in an ecosystem.

Front

What are herbivores?

Back

Herbivores are organisms that consume plants and are typically found at the second trophic level in an energy pyramid.