Ecosystem Energy Flow 2/20/24

Which of the following best describes how energy is transferred in an ecosystem?

• Energy is recycled at each trophic level.

• Energy flows in a linear path from the sun to producers and then to various consumers.

• Energy is primarily transferred through the water cycle.

• Energy flows from decomposers directly to producers and then to consumers.

What is the role of phytoplankton in an aquatic ecosystem?

• They are primary consumers.

• They decompose organic matter.

• They serve as the primary producers.

• They regulate water temperature.

In a food web, which trophic level is directly above primary consumers?

• Secondary consumers

• Tertiary consumers

• Primary producers

• Decomposers

What does an ecological pyramid represent?

• The number of organisms at each trophic level.

• The biomass at each trophic level.

• Both the number of organisms and the biomass at each trophic level.

• The amount of water consumed by each trophic level.

Why is energy transfer between trophic levels not 100% efficient?

• Because some energy is always lost as heat.

• Because consumers utilize all the energy they consume.

• Because producers absorb all the sunlight.

• Because decomposers release energy back into the ecosystem.

What is biomass?

• The total mass of living matter within a given unit of environmental area.

• The amount of water in an ecosystem.

• The total number of species in an ecosystem.

• The amount of sunlight an area receives.

How do ecological pyramids help in analyzing energy flow through trophic levels?

• By showing the movement of water through trophic levels.

• By illustrating the loss of energy at each trophic level.

• By displaying the genetic diversity at each trophic level.

• By measuring the amount of sunlight absorbed by each trophic level.

Which of the following is a characteristic feature of a food web?

• It shows a single pathway of energy flow.

• It includes only primary producers and primary consumers.

• It illustrates multiple pathways through which energy and nutrients can flow.

• It represents the amount of biomass at each trophic level.

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

• 10%

• 25%

• 50%

• 75%

Why are there fewer tertiary consumers than primary consumers in an ecosystem?

• Because tertiary consumers require more energy for survival.

• Because there is less energy available at the higher trophic levels.

• Because primary consumers reproduce more quickly.

• Because tertiary consumers have no natural predators.