Energy in an Ecosystem

Classify organisms based on how they obtain their energy in an ecosystem:

• Heterotrophs and Autotrophs

• Producers and Consumers

• Decomposers and Parasites

• Herbivores and Carnivores

All of the green plants and other organisms that produce their own food in an ecosystem are primary producers called ________.

• autotrophs

• consumers

• decomposers

• heterotrophs

Which of the following organisms contain chlorophyll and absorb energy during photosynthesis?

• Herbivores

• Autotrophs

• Carnivores

• Decomposers

Match the following types of heterotrophs with their descriptions:

• Organisms that feed on decomposing organic matter

• Omnivores

• Organisms that eat both plants and animals

• Herbivores

• Organisms that primarily eat plants

• Detritivores

• Organisms that primarily eat meat

• Carnivores

What is the role of decomposers or detritivores in an ecosystem?

• They break down dead organic matter and recycle nutrients.

• They perform photosynthesis to produce food.

• They are primary producers in the ecosystem.

• They consume live animals as predators.

What do ecologists use to show simple model of the energy flow through an ecosystem?

In a food chain, the '10% rule' states that only about __% of the energy from one trophic level is transferred to the next.

• 10

• 20

• 30

• 40

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

• A food chain represents a one way of energy transfer, while a food web shows multiple interconnected food chains.

• A food chain and a food web are identical in depicting energy flow.

• A food chain includes decomposers, whereas a food web does not.

• A food chain focuses on producers only, while a food web focuses on consumers only.

Arrows in a food chain represent the one-way energy flow which typically starts with __ and moves to heterotrophs.

• producers

• consumers

• decomposers

• predators

The most energy is available at the ​ (a)   level of an energy pyramid?

• producer
• primary consumer
• secondary consumer
• tertiary consumer
• decomposer
• top predator