Energy Flow in Ecosystems

Front

What process do plants use to turn sunlight into food energy?

Back

Photosynthesis is the process by which plants convert sunlight into chemical energy in the form of glucose.

Front

What happens to the rabbit population if the owl population increases?

Back

The rabbit population will likely decrease due to increased predation by the larger owl population.

Front

Why is there a limit to the number of levels in a food chain?

Back

Energy is lost when moving up each trophic level, limiting the number of levels that can be supported.

Front

What is an autotroph?

Back

An autotroph is an organism that produces its own food, typically through photosynthesis, such as plants.

Front

What is a food chain?

Back

A food chain is a linear sequence that shows how energy and nutrients flow from one organism to another in an ecosystem.

Front

What is a producer in an ecosystem?

Back

A producer is an organism that can make its own food, usually through photosynthesis, and forms the base of the food chain.

Front

What is a consumer?

Back

A consumer is an organism that cannot produce its own food and must eat other organisms for energy.

Front

What role do decomposers play in an ecosystem?

Back

Decomposers break down dead organic matter, recycling nutrients back into the soil.

Front

What is a trophic level?

Back

A trophic level is a position in a food chain or food web, defined by how an organism obtains its energy.

Front

What is the primary source of energy for most ecosystems?

Back

The primary source of energy for most ecosystems is sunlight.