Ecosystems Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What is a producer?

A producer is an organism that captures energy and stores it in food as chemical energy.

What are consumers?

An organism that obtains energy and nutrients by feeding on other organisms or their remains.

What are decomposers?

Decomposers break down dead plant and animal matter into simpler compounds.

What is a food chain?

A food chain describes the feeding relationship between a producer and a single chain of consumers in an ecosystem. Signup and view all the answers

What is a food web?

A food web is a model of the feeding relationships between many different consumers and producers in an ecosystem. Signup and view all the answers

What is an energy pyramid?

An energy pyramid is a model that shows the amount of energy available at each feeding level of an ecosystem. Signup and view all the answers

Describe the role of producers, consumers, and decomposers in an ecosystem.

Producers make energy available to all living parts, consumers eat the food made by producers, and decomposers break down dead organisms. Signup and view all the answers

Why does a food web provide a better model of an ecosystem than a food chain?

A food web models relationships between many different consumers and producers, while a food chain models just one. Signup and view all the answers

How does the amount of available energy change as energy moves up a food chain?

Energy is lost as it moves from producers to consumers, causing available energy to decrease. Signup and view all the answers

How is the carbon cycle related to a food web?

The carbon cycle involves the movement of carbon through the ecosystem, linking to energy transfer in food webs. Signup and view all the answers

What would happen if muskrats were removed from a wetland ecosystem?

The food chain would break down, leading to the death of many animals and possible collapse of the ecosystem. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Producers

Producers capture and store energy in the form of food as chemical energy.
They form the base of the ecosystem, providing energy for consumers.

Consumers

Consumers obtain energy and nutrients by feeding on other organisms or their remains.
They can be categorized as primary (herbivores), secondary (carnivores), and tertiary consumers.

Decomposers

Decomposers break down dead plant and animal matter into simpler compounds.
Essential for recycling nutrients back into the ecosystem, they include bacteria and fungi.

Food Chain

A food chain illustrates the direct feeding relationships between a producer and a single chain of consumers.
It simplifies the flow of energy but does not capture the complexity of interactions in an ecosystem.

Food Web

A food web presents a more comprehensive model of feeding relationships among various producers and consumers in an ecosystem.
It demonstrates the interconnected nature of ecosystems and energy flow.

Energy Pyramid

An energy pyramid depicts the amount of energy available at each trophic level in an ecosystem.
Energy decreases as it moves from producers to higher consumer levels due to energy loss in metabolic processes.

Ecosystem Roles

Producers create energy accessible to consumers.
Consumers rely on producers for food, while decomposers recycle nutrients from dead organic matter, maintaining ecosystem balance.

Food Web vs. Food Chain

Food webs illustrate multiple feeding relationships, while food chains represent a linear flow between a single producer and consumer.
This complexity makes food webs a better representation of real ecological relationships.

Energy Transfer

Energy diminishes as it moves up the food chain due to metabolic losses.
The energy pyramid's base is the largest, indicating the highest energy available at the producer level.

Carbon Cycle Connection

The carbon cycle is integrated with food webs, highlighting how energy and matter circulate through ecosystems.
Producers absorb CO2 for photosynthesis, providing organic matter for consumers, while decomposers release carbon back into the environment.

Ecosystem Disruption Prediction

Removing a key species, such as muskrats from a wetland, can disrupt food chains.
This breakdown can lead to the decline of primary producers and secondary consumers, threatening the entire ecosystem's stability.

Description

Test your knowledge about ecosystems with these flashcards. Learn key terms such as producers, consumers, decomposers, and food chains. This quiz will help you understand the roles of various organisms in an ecosystem.