12 Questions
What is the main source of energy for producers in an ecosystem?
Sunlight
Which type of organisms make their own food in an ecosystem?
Producers
What is the role of detritivores in an ecosystem?
Eat dead matter (plants)
In a food chain, what is the usual starting point?
Plant life
Which type of consumer eats both plants and animals?
Omnivores
What type of consumers get energy from consuming other organisms?
Heterotrophs
Why are plants called producers?
Because they can produce food from light energy
What do we call animals that eat ONLY PLANTS?
Herbivores
Why do herbivores outnumber carnivores in an ecosystem?
Because herbivores have a more accessible food source
What is the main role of decomposers in an ecosystem?
To feed on decaying matter
What is a Detritivore in a food chain?
An animal that feeds on decaying matter
Why is only 10% of the energy available within one trophic level transferred to the next level?
Because most of the energy is lost as heat and used for life processes
Study Notes
Energy Flow in Ecosystems
- Energy flows through an ecosystem in one direction from the sun or inorganic compounds to autotrophs (producers) and then to heterotrophs (consumers).
Producers (Autotrophs)
- Producers capture energy from sunlight or chemicals and use it to produce food.
- There are two main types of autotrophs:
- One type gets energy from the sun through photosynthesis.
- Another type gets energy without light through chemosynthesis.
Consumers (Heterotrophs)
- Consumers get energy from other organisms.
- Types of consumers:
- Herbivores: eat only plants.
- Carnivores: eat animals.
- Omnivores: eat both plants and animals.
- Detritivores: eat dead matter (plants).
Feeding Relationships
- Energy flows through trophic levels, with each level depending on the one below for energy.
- Trophic levels:
- Producers: first trophic level.
- Consumers: second, third, or higher trophic level.
Food Chains and Webs
- A food chain shows how each living thing gets its food.
- A food web is a network of feeding relationships.
- Food chains always start with plant life and end with an animal.
Energy Transfer
- Only 10% of the energy available within one trophic level is transferred to organisms in the next trophic level.
- Most energy is consumed for life processes (respiration, movement, etc.) and heat is given off.
Biomass Pyramid
- Biomass: the total amount of living tissue within a given trophic level.
- A biomass pyramid represents the amount of potential food available for each trophic level in an ecosystem.
Important Questions
- Why are there more herbivores than carnivores?
- What is a Detritivore?
Test your knowledge on energy flow in ecosystems, including autotrophs, heterotrophs, carnivores, producers, herbivores, decomposers, and trophic levels. Learn about how energy is transferred from different organisms in an ecosystem.
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