7.12A Flow of Energy in Trophic Levels

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10% rule

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A guideline for calculating the approximate amount of energy passed from one trophic level to the next in an energy pyramid.

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Consumer

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An organism that cannot produce its own food and must obtain energy by consuming other organisms; also known as a heterotroph.

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Decomposer

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An organism that breaks down dead organisms and waste.

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Energy flow

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The movement of energy from one organism to another in ecosystems.

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Energy pyramid

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A diagram that shows the flow of energy from one trophic level to the next trophic level in an ecosystem.

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Food chain

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A diagram that uses arrows to show a singular path of energy flow from one organism to another.

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Food web

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A diagram that shows the energy flow among overlapping food chains within an ecosystem.

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Primary consumer

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An organism that obtains energy by eating producers.

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Producer

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An organism that can produce its own food, such as through the process of photosynthesis; also known as an autotroph.

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Secondary consumer

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An organism that obtains energy by eating primary consumers.