Energy pyramids/trophic levels

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 up the pyramid.

Front

What are trophic levels?

Back

Trophic levels are the different stages in a food chain or food web, categorized by the organisms' roles in energy transfer: producers, primary consumers, secondary consumers, and so on.

Front

What is a producer?

Back

A producer is an organism, usually a plant or algae, that can make its own food through photosynthesis, serving as the base of the energy pyramid.

Front

What is a primary consumer?

Back

A primary consumer is an organism that eats producers (plants) for energy, typically herbivores.

Front

What is a secondary consumer?

Back

A secondary consumer is an organism that eats primary consumers, which can be carnivores or omnivores.

Front

What is a tertiary consumer?

Back

A tertiary consumer is an organism that eats secondary consumers, often at the top of the food chain.

Front

What is an omnivore?

Back

An omnivore is an organism that eats both plants and animals for energy.

Front

What is a carnivore?

Back

A carnivore is an organism that primarily eats other animals for energy.

Front

What is a herbivore?

Back

A herbivore is an organism that primarily eats plants for energy.

Front

What is the 10% rule in energy transfer?

Back

The 10% rule states that only about 10% of the energy from one trophic level is passed on to the next level, while the rest is lost as heat.