Energy and Matter Flow

Front

What is energy flow in an ecosystem?

Back

Energy flow refers to the transfer of energy from one organism to another within an ecosystem, starting from the sun and moving through producers to consumers.

Front

What is a food web?

Back

A food web is a complex network of feeding relationships among organisms in an ecosystem, showing how energy flows between them.

Front

What is a producer?

Back

A producer is an organism, typically a plant, that can make its own food through photosynthesis, serving as the primary energy source in an ecosystem.

Front

What is a consumer?

Back

A consumer is an organism that cannot produce its own food and must eat other organisms (plants or animals) to obtain energy.

Front

What is a decomposer?

Back

A decomposer is an organism, such as bacteria or fungi, that breaks down dead organic material, returning nutrients to the soil.

Front

What role does the sun play in energy flow?

Back

The sun is the primary source of energy for all ecosystems, as it provides the energy needed for photosynthesis in producers.

Front

What is the difference between a herbivore and a carnivore?

Back

A herbivore is an animal that eats plants, while a carnivore is an animal that eats other animals.

Front

What is an omnivore?

Back

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

Front

What does it mean for an organism to be at the top of the food chain?

Back

An organism at the top of the food chain has no natural predators and is at the highest level of energy transfer in an ecosystem.

Front

Why do some organisms have multiple arrows in a food web?

Back

Some organisms have multiple arrows because they are preyed upon by more than one species, indicating they are a food source for various consumers.