Food Chains and Food Webs

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, starting from producers to various levels of consumers.

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What is a food web?

Back

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

Front

Define producers in an ecosystem.

Back

Producers are organisms, typically plants and algae, that can make their own food through photosynthesis, forming the base of the food chain.

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What are primary consumers?

Back

Primary consumers are herbivores that eat producers (plants) to obtain energy.

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What are secondary consumers?

Back

Secondary consumers are organisms that eat primary consumers; they can be carnivores or omnivores.

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What is an apex predator?

Back

An apex predator is a predator at the top of the food chain that has no natural enemies.

Front

Define omnivores.

Back

Omnivores are organisms that eat both plants (producers) and animals (consumers) for energy.

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What is the role of decomposers in an ecosystem?

Back

Decomposers break down dead organic matter, returning nutrients to the soil and helping to recycle energy within the ecosystem.

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How is energy transferred in a food chain?

Back

Energy is transferred from one trophic level to the next, but only about 10% of the energy is passed on; the rest is lost as heat.

Front

What is a trophic level?

Back

A trophic level is a position in a food chain or food web, defined by how an organism obtains its energy.