Understanding Ecosystems and Food Chains

What is an ecosystem?

• A geographical location

• An ecosystem is a community of living organisms and their physical environment interacting as a system.

• A method of farming

• A type of plant species

Define a food chain.

• A food chain is a linear representation of how energy and nutrients are transferred between organisms in an ecosystem.

• A food chain shows the social interactions between species.

• A food chain is a circular diagram of animal habitats.

• A food chain is a list of all the plants in an ecosystem.

What is the primary producer in a food chain?

• Decomposers

• Herbivores

• Plants

• Carnivores

Name a primary consumer in a typical food chain.

• rabbit

• deer

• grass

• hawk

What role do decomposers play in an ecosystem?

• Decomposers compete with plants for sunlight.

• Decomposers recycle nutrients and help maintain ecosystem balance.

• Decomposers are primary consumers in the food chain.

• Decomposers produce energy for plants.

How does energy flow through a food chain?

• Energy flows only from consumers to producers.

• Energy is constant at all trophic levels.

• Energy is lost only at the producer level.

• Energy flows from producers to consumers in a food chain, with energy loss at each trophic level.

What is the difference between a food chain and a food web?

• A food chain is a complex network, while a food web is a simple sequence.

• A food chain is a linear sequence of energy flow, while a food web is a complex network of interconnected food chains.

• A food chain shows only herbivores, while a food web shows only carnivores.

• A food chain includes multiple species, while a food web includes only one species.

Give an example of a tertiary consumer.

• Frog

• Rabbit

• Hawk

• Deer

Why are food chains important for ecosystems?

• Food chains have no impact on the environment.

• Food chains are only important for human consumption.

• Food chains are important for ecosystems because they demonstrate the flow of energy and nutrients, illustrating the interdependence of organisms.

• Food chains are solely about plant growth.

How can human activities impact food chains?

• Human activities have no effect on food chains.

• Human activities only impact food chains through climate change.

• Human activities can enhance biodiversity in food chains.

• Human activities can disrupt food chains by reducing biodiversity and altering habitats.