Ecology Review

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What is a secondary consumer in an ecosystem?

Back

A secondary consumer is typically a predator or carnivore that feeds on primary consumers (herbivores).

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What are autotrophs/producers?

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Autotrophs, also known as producers, are organisms that can produce their own food through photosynthesis or chemosynthesis, such as algae, grasses, and trees.

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How many trophic levels are typically represented in a food web?

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A food web can represent multiple trophic levels, often ranging from 3 to 5 or more, depending on the complexity of the ecosystem.

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What is a food web?

Back

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

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What role do producers play in a food chain?

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Producers, such as green plants, are the first trophic level in a food chain and provide energy for all other organisms by converting sunlight into food.

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Define primary consumer.

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A primary consumer is an organism that feeds on producers (autotrophs), typically herbivores that consume plants.

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

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A food chain is a linear sequence of organisms where each is eaten by the next, while a food web is a more complex representation of how various food chains are interconnected.

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What is a trophic level?

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A trophic level is a position in a food chain or food web, defined by how an organism obtains its energy, such as producers, primary consumers, and secondary consumers.

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What are decomposers?

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Decomposers are organisms, such as fungi and bacteria, that break down dead organic matter, recycling nutrients back into the ecosystem.

Front

What is the role of herbivores in an ecosystem?

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Herbivores are primary consumers that feed on plants, playing a crucial role in transferring energy from producers to higher trophic levels.