Energy Transfer and Ecosystem Dynamics

The video tutorial explores ecosystems, defining them as interactions between living (biotic) and non-living (abiotic) components. It explains the roles of producers, consumers, and decomposers in maintaining ecological balance. The tutorial contrasts natural and man-made ecosystems, using a lake and an aquarium as examples. It also covers food chains and webs, illustrating energy flow and trophic levels, emphasizing the 10% energy transfer rule.

What are the two main components of an ecosystem?

• Biotic and Abiotic

• Producers and Consumers

• Herbivores and Carnivores

• Decomposers and Scavengers

What would happen if abiotic components were removed from an ecosystem?

• New abiotic components would form

• Ecosystem would remain unchanged

• Biotic components would not survive

• Biotic components would thrive

Which organisms are responsible for breaking down dead materials in an ecosystem?

• Predators

• Decomposers

• Consumers

• Producers

How do decomposers contribute to a natural lake ecosystem?

• By producing oxygen

• By providing shelter

• By breaking down dead matter

• By consuming producers

What is a food chain?

• A series of organisms each dependent on the next as a source of food

• A hierarchy of consumers

• A group of producers in an ecosystem

• A network of interconnected food chains

In a food chain, what is the primary source of energy for producers?

• Air

• Water

• Sunlight

• Soil

What percentage of energy is typically transferred from one trophic level to the next?

• 1%

• 10%

• 50%

• 25%

Why do food chains usually consist of only three or four steps?

• Because consumers are scarce

• Because producers are limited

• Because there are not enough organisms

• Because energy is lost at each step

What is a food web?

• A hierarchy of decomposers

• A group of producers

• A network of interconnected food chains

• A single linear sequence of organisms

In a food web, why are there generally more individuals at lower trophic levels?

• Because they are more diverse

• Because they have more energy available

• Because they reproduce faster

• Because they are larger