Energy Flow in Ecosystems Flashcards

Which organism is a primary consumer in the food web?

Why are mushrooms important to the food chain?

From the producer level, to which level does energy flow directly?

Maggots feed on dead and decaying organisms for energy. What are maggots?

Which process do plants use to turn sunlight into food energy?

Which organisms are heterotrophs?

Which is an interconnection of food chains in an ecosystem?

What might happen to the organisms in the food web if the number of phytoplankton and vegetation drastically decreased?

Which organism is an example of a producer?

In the food chain below, which is the producer: grass, mouse, snake, or hawk?

Key Concepts of Energy Flow in Ecosystems

Primary Consumer: An organism that primarily feeds on producers, with the herbivorous duck being an example.
Role of Mushrooms: Vital in recycling nutrients within ecosystems, they contribute to nutrient cycling rather than producing food energy or consuming excess herbivores.
Energy Flow: Directly moves from producers to primary consumers, highlighting the significance of primary consumers in energy dynamics.
Maggots: Defined as decomposers, these organisms feed on dead and decaying matter, aiding in nutrient decomposition.
Photosynthesis: The process by which plants convert sunlight into food energy, critical for the energy foundation of ecosystems.
Heterotrophs vs. Autotrophs: Organisms classified as consumers (heterotrophs) rely on others for energy, unlike producers (autotrophs) that create their own food.
Food Web: An interconnected system of multiple food chains illustrating how energy and nutrients move through an ecosystem.
Impact of Decrease in Producers: A significant reduction in phytoplankton and vegetation would broadly impact the entire food web, affecting many organisms.
Producers: Organisms like the rose bush serve as producers, converting sunlight into usable energy for the ecosystem.
Identifying Producers in Food Chains: In the provided example of grass, mouse, snake, and hawk, grass is the producer, forming the base of the food chain.

Test your knowledge on the roles of different organisms within ecosystems with these flashcards. Learn about primary consumers, their importance in the food chain, and the contributions of fungi to nutrient recycling. Perfect for biology students and enthusiasts.