Following the Energy

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Trophic Level Noun

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[troh-fik lev-uhl]

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Trophic Level

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The position an organism occupies in a food chain, representing a specific feeding level in an ecosystem.

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Example: The image shows different trophic levels in a food chain, from producers to top carnivores, with energy flow arrows.

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Producers Noun

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[pro-doo-sers]

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Producers

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Organisms that create their own food from inorganic materials, forming the base of every food web.

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Example: Plants use sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water to create glucose and oxygen, illustrating how producers make their own food.

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Autotrophs Noun

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[aw-toh-trohfs]

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Autotrophs

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Another name for producers, these are organisms that capture energy from sunlight or chemicals to produce their own food.

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Example: The image shows a plant using sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide to produce glucose and oxygen, demonstrating how autotrophs make their own food.

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Consumers Noun

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[kuhn-soo-mers]

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Consumers

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Organisms that obtain energy and nutrients by feeding on other organisms because they cannot produce their own food.

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Example: The rabbit, fox, and eagle are consumers that get energy by eating other organisms.

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Heterotrophs Noun

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[het-er-oh-trohfs]

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Heterotrophs

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Another name for consumers, these are organisms that must eat other organisms to get matter and energy.

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Example: An ecological pyramid shows heterotrophs as consumers that eat other organisms for energy.

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Primary Consumers Noun

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[prahy-mer-ee kuhn-soo-mers]

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Primary Consumers

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The first level of consumers in a food chain, which are herbivores that feed directly on producers.

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Example: A rabbit eating grass shows how primary consumers feed on producers.

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Secondary Consumers Noun

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[sek-uhn-der-ee kuhn-soo-mers]

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Secondary Consumers

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The second level of consumers in a food chain, which are carnivores or omnivores that eat primary consumers.

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Example: The pyramid shows secondary consumers (omnivores/carnivores) eating primary consumers, illustrating their role in the food chain.

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Tertiary Consumers Noun

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[tur-shee-er-ee kuhn-soo-mers]

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Tertiary Consumers

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The third level of consumers in a food chain, which are carnivores or omnivores that eat secondary consumers.

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Example: Tertiary consumers, like wolves, are at the top of the food chain, eating secondary consumers.

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Herbivores Noun

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[hur-buh-vawrs]

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Herbivores

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Animals that are adapted to get their energy and nutrients by eating only plant materials as their food source.

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Example: A deer in a forest represents herbivores that eat plants for energy.

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Carnivores Noun

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[kahr-nuh-vawrs]

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Carnivores

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Animals that get their energy and nutrient requirements from a diet consisting mainly or exclusively of animal tissue.

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Example: The image shows various carnivores like lions and wolves, illustrating animals that eat other animals for energy.