Questions and Answers
An ecological pyramid is a diagram that shows the relative amounts of _____ or _____ contained within each trophic level in a food chain or food web.
matter, energy
What are the three types of ecological pyramids?
Energy, biomass, numbers
Why is only part of the energy stored in one trophic level passed on to the next level?
Organisms use much of the energy that they consume for life processes and the rest is released into the environment as heat.
In addition to using energy for life processes, a large amount of energy is lost as _____
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Specifically, what percent of energy is transferred to organisms at the next trophic level?
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_____ is the total amount of living tissue within a given trophic level.
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Which trophic level should have the most biomass in an ecosystem?
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A healthy ecosystem has _____ organisms at each trophic level.
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If the numbers are too great at the top, then _____ or death may occur within the organisms at the highest trophic levels.
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A pyramid of _____ illustrates the relative amount of living organic matter available at each trophic level in an ecosystem.
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A pyramid of _____ shows the relative numbers of individual organisms at the trophic levels in an ecosystem.
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A pyramid of _____ shows the relative amounts of energy available at the trophic levels of a food chain or food web.
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Study Notes
Ecological Pyramids Overview
- Ecological pyramids visually represent the distribution of matter or energy across trophic levels in food chains or webs.
Types of Ecological Pyramids
- Three primary types of ecological pyramids: energy, biomass, and numbers.
Energy Transfer in Trophic Levels
- Only a fraction of energy from one trophic level is transferred to the next, approximately 10%.
- Energy is lost due to organisms using it for metabolic processes and releasing excess energy as heat.
Energy Loss Mechanism
- A significant portion of energy consumed by organisms is dissipated as heat during life processes.
Biomass Definition
- Biomass refers to the cumulative mass of living tissue available within a specific trophic level.
Biomass Distribution in Ecosystems
- The bottom trophic level typically contains the highest biomass within an ecosystem, providing the base for higher levels.
Trophic Levels and Population Dynamics
- A healthy ecosystem is characterized by fewer organisms at each trophic level, promoting stability and sustainability.
- Overpopulation at the top trophic levels may lead to starvation or death among these organisms.
Specific Pyramid Functions
- A pyramid of biomass depicts the relative amount of living organic material available at various trophic levels.
- A pyramid of numbers illustrates the quantity of individual organisms present at each trophic level.
- A pyramid of energy represents the energy available at different trophic levels in a food chain or web.
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Description
Test your knowledge on ecological pyramids with this set of flashcards. Explore the concepts of energy, biomass, and numbers in different trophic levels. Perfect for biology students looking to reinforce their understanding of food chains and ecosystems.
