Food Chains, Food Webs, and Energy Pyramids

Food Chains, Food Webs, and Energy Pyramids

By Kate Harnage

Energy begins with photosynthesis. ​

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Where does energy begin?

Plants use water & carbon dioxide to store energy from the sun in glucose.

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​Organisms that use photosynthesis to make food are called producers.​

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​Photosynthesis

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You have to know the formula for photosynthesis.

Multiple Choice

What is another name for producers?

• heterotrophs

• autotrophs

Multiple Select

What is produced as a result of photosynthesis? (Pick 2)

• CO2

• O2

• sugar

• ATP (energy)

All organisms use cellular respiration to turn their food into energy. ​

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Organisms that eat food to get energy are called consumers. ​

​You have to know the formula for cellular respiration.

Cellular Respiration

Multiple Select

What is produced as a result of cellular respiration? (Pick 2)

• CO2

• O2

• sugar

• ATP (energy)

Multiple Choice

What is another name for consumers?

• heterotrophs

• autotrophs

Second trophic level

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​Herbivores = only eat plants

Primary consumer

​​Secondary consumer

​Fourth trophic level

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Carnivores or Omnivore

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Predator or Scavenger​

Tertiary consumers

​Third tropic level​

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Carnivores = only eat animals

Omnivores = eat plants and animals​

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Predator or Scavenger​

Multiple Select

Which organism would be found at the second trophic level?

• grass

• lions

• vultures

• antelopes

Multiple Select

Which organisms could be found at the fourth trophic level?

• grass

• lions

• vultures

• antelopes

Multiple Select

Which organism would be found at the first trophic level?

• grass

• lions

• vultures

• antelopes

Open Ended

Why do you think scientists use food chains/ food webs?

Food chains show how energy is transferred from the sun to each trophic level (producer, primary consumer, etc.)

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​Food Chains

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Multiple Choice

What is the difference between food chains and food webs?

• Food chains show a single energy pathways, while food webs show several energy pathways

• Food web show multiple energy pathways, while food chains show only one energy pathway

Food webs show several energy pathways within an ecosystem.

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​Food Webs

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Poll

How much energy do you think is passed to the consumer when they eat food?

• 100%

• 90%

• 75%

• 10%

90% of energy is lost with each trophic level.

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They show:

• the amount of energy decreases for higher consumers

• a large number of producers are needed to support an​ ecosystem.

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​Energy Pyramids

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Multiple Choice

How is the majority of energy lost between each trophic level?

• heat

• sleeping

• no energy is lost

Multiple Choice

How much energy is lost from trophic level to trophic level?

• 100%

• 90%

• 75%

• 10%