Energy Flow in Ecosystems Quiz

Energy Flow in Ecosystem

• An ecosystem is a biological community of interacting organisms and their physical environment.
• A food web consists of all the food chains in a single ecosystem.
• A food chain is a linear network of links in a food web, starting from producer organisms and ending at an apex predator species, detritivores, or decomposer species.

Key Concepts

• Biomass refers to the total quantity or weight of organisms in a given area or volume.
• Trophic level is the position of an organism in the food chain.
• An ecological pyramid is a graphical representation that shows the biomass or bio-productivity.

Organisms in an Ecosystem

• Scavengers are animals that feed on decaying organic matter.
• Decomposers are organisms that break down dead organic material.
• Detritivores are organisms that feed on dead and decomposing organic matter, such as earthworms or fungi.
• Omnivores feed on both animal and vegetable matter.
• Carnivores feed on animals only.
• Herbivores feed on vegetables only.
• Primary producers are organisms that acquire their energy from sunlight and materials from non-living sources.