Energy Pyramids

A pyramid shape is used to show the amount of available energy at each trophic level because... 

• energy decreases as you go up the food chain, just like the pyramid shape gets smaller as you go up. 
• energy increases up the food chain just like the pyramid shape gets smaller as you go up. 
• energy amounts are the same at each trophic level

In this energy pyramid, what is the proper name for ANY ORGANISM ABOVE THE PRODUCER LEVEL?

• decomposers
• consumers
• producers
• omnivores

What makes an energy pyramid different than a food web or chain?

• It shows energy flowing from the top of the chain and downward. 
• The tropic levels are the opposite
• It shows the amount of energy in each trophic level
• It shows specific predator/prey relationships

Why are producers found at the base of the pyramid?

• They create all of the energy and therefore have the most energy of all of the trophic levels
• There are more plants than animals. 
• They begin the flow of energy in an ecosystem.
• All of these answers are correct. 

True or False: Organisms will always stay in the same trophic level. 

• True-- an organism's trophic level is permanent based on the species it is. 
• False-- the trophic level an organism belongs to is based on what it is consuming in the food chain. 

What is the sun's role in the energy pyramid?

• to produce chemical energy for the ecosystem.
• to provide radiant energy for producers to convert to chemical energy. 
• to start the energy flow of the ecosystem. 
• to provide mechanical energy for producers to convert to chemical energy. 

What form of energy is in the food organisms consume?

• chemical energy
• thermal energy
• mechanical energy
• radiant energy

Which organism in figure 1 contains the most available energy?

• plants
• mountain lions
• hawks
• none of the above

The diagram represents different levels of a marine food pyramid. Between which two levels is the greatest amount of energy transferred

• R and Q

• S and R

• T and S

• U and T

In the energy pyramid below, which organism has the least amount of energy available?

• Producers
• Herbivores
• Carnivores
• Top Predator