Food Chain, Food Web, & Energy Pyramid

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What is a food chain?

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A food chain is a linear sequence that shows how energy and nutrients flow from one organism to another in an ecosystem, starting from producers to various levels of consumers.

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What is a food web?

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A food web is a complex network of interconnected food chains in an ecosystem, illustrating how different organisms are related through feeding relationships.

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What is an energy pyramid?

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An energy pyramid is a graphical representation that shows the distribution of energy among trophic levels in an ecosystem, with producers at the base and top predators at the apex.

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What are producers in an ecosystem?

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Producers are organisms, typically plants and algae, that can produce their own food through photosynthesis, forming the base of the food chain.

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What are primary consumers?

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Primary consumers are herbivores that eat producers; they are the second level in the food chain.

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What are secondary consumers?

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Secondary consumers are organisms that eat primary consumers; they can be carnivores or omnivores.

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What are tertiary consumers?

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Tertiary consumers are predators that eat secondary consumers; they are often at the top of the food chain.

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What is the role of decomposers in an ecosystem?

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Decomposers break down dead organic matter, returning nutrients to the soil and completing the nutrient cycle.

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What is the 10% rule in ecology?

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The 10% rule states that only about 10% of the energy from one trophic level is passed on to the next level, while the rest is lost as heat.

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What is the difference between herbivores and carnivores?

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Herbivores are animals that primarily eat plants, while carnivores are animals that primarily eat other animals.