Understanding Food Webs and Ecosystems

Professor Ace introduces the concept of energy flow in ecosystems, emphasizing the importance of balance. The video explains food chains as simple pathways of energy transfer and food webs as complex integrations of multiple food chains. It highlights the significance of maintaining a balanced ecosystem to prevent extinction and ensure the survival of various species.

What is the primary focus of energy flow in an ecosystem?

• The movement of water

• The growth of plants

• The transfer of energy through food

• The migration of animals

In a food chain, what does the arrow represent?

• The direction of sunlight

• The flow of water

• What an organism is eaten by

• What an organism eats

Which of the following is an example of a simple food chain?

• Sun -> Apple -> Grasshopper -> Bird -> Cat

• Tree -> Insect -> Frog -> Snake

• Sun -> Grass -> Rabbit -> Fox

• Water -> Fish -> Bear

How does a food web differ from a food chain?

• It is a linear representation

• It only includes plants

• It represents multiple interconnected food chains

• It shows a single pathway of energy flow

What is a food web compared to in the video?

• An a la carte menu

• A limited menu

• A simple meal

• A single dish

What role do producers play in a food web?

• They decompose organic matter

• They are the top predators

• They provide energy for other organisms

• They are the primary consumers

Which of the following is considered a producer?

• Apple

• Grasshopper

• Bird

• Cat

What can cause an ecosystem to become unbalanced?

• A decrease in sunlight

• An increase in predators

• An imbalance in the number of prey and plants

• A change in water temperature

What happens if there are more rabbits than plants in an ecosystem?

• The predators will increase

• The plants will thrive

• The rabbits will eventually die

• The ecosystem will become more balanced

Why is it important to maintain a balanced ecosystem?

• To ensure the survival of all species

• To increase the number of predators

• To decrease the number of producers

• To eliminate all prey