Energy Flow and Trophic Levels in Ecosystems

The video explores energy flow in ecosystems, focusing on trophic levels and the roles of producers, consumers, and decomposers. It explains food chains and food webs, highlighting the 10% energy transfer rule. The video emphasizes the importance of decomposers in nutrient recycling and provides examples of organisms at each trophic level, from primary producers to apex predators.

What is the primary purpose of energy flow models in ecosystems?

• To determine the lifespan of organisms

• To measure the speed of energy transfer

• To show the flow of energy through an ecosystem

• To identify the number of species in an ecosystem

Which organisms are considered primary producers?

• Rabbits

• Golden eagles

• Foxes

• Plants and algae

What do primary consumers primarily feed on?

• Other primary consumers

• Secondary consumers

• Primary producers

• Tertiary consumers

Which of the following is a secondary consumer?

• Rabbits

• Foxes

• Plants

• Grizzly bears

What role do tertiary consumers play in the food chain?

• They consume primary producers

• They decompose organic matter

• They produce energy through photosynthesis

• They eat secondary consumers

Which of the following best describes apex predators?

• They have no natural predators

• They only eat plants

• They are at the bottom of the food chain

• They are decomposers

What is the primary function of decomposers in an ecosystem?

• To produce energy from sunlight

• To recycle nutrients back to primary producers

• To consume apex predators

• To increase the number of primary consumers

What is a food web?

• A measure of energy efficiency

• A list of all species in an ecosystem

• A diagram showing overlapping food chains

• A single linear path of energy flow

What does the 10% rule in energy transfer imply?

• 10% of energy is lost to the environment

• 10% of energy is transferred to the next trophic level

• 10% of organisms survive each year

• 10% of species are apex predators

Why are there fewer individuals at higher trophic levels?

• Because they are primary producers

• Due to higher competition for sunlight

• Due to the 10% energy transfer rule

• Because they reproduce less