7th (7.5B - Food Chains/Webs/Pyramids) Part 1

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.

Front

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

What are trophic levels?

Back

Trophic levels are the different levels in a food chain or food web, categorized by the role of organisms in the flow of energy: producers, primary consumers, secondary consumers, and so on.

Front

What is the role of producers in a food chain?

Back

Producers, such as plants, are organisms that create their own food through photosynthesis and form the base of the food chain.

Front

What is a primary consumer?

Back

A primary consumer is an organism that eats producers; they are typically herbivores that feed on plants.

Front

What is a secondary consumer?

Back

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

Front

What is a decomposer?

Back

A decomposer is an organism, such as bacteria or fungi, that breaks down dead organic matter into simpler substances, recycling nutrients back into the ecosystem.

Front

What percentage of energy is typically passed from one trophic level to the next?

Back

Typically, only about 10% of the energy is passed from one trophic level to the next in a food chain.

Front

What happens to energy as it moves up the food chain?

Back

As energy moves up the food chain, it decreases significantly, with only about 10% being transferred to the next level.

Front

What is a scavenger?

Back

A scavenger is an organism that feeds on dead animals and organic waste, helping to clean up the ecosystem.