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Questions and Answers
What percentage of available energy reaches the primary consumer level?
What percentage of available energy reaches the primary consumer level?
Which abiotic factor does NOT impact the organisms in a trophic pyramid?
Which abiotic factor does NOT impact the organisms in a trophic pyramid?
Why would an orca require more energy compared to a wolf?
Why would an orca require more energy compared to a wolf?
How much energy do male killer whales consume per day?
How much energy do male killer whales consume per day?
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What is the approximate total number of sea otters a killer whale would eat in six years?
What is the approximate total number of sea otters a killer whale would eat in six years?
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Which of the following nutrient cycles is associated with photosynthesis?
Which of the following nutrient cycles is associated with photosynthesis?
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If a killer whale needs 240,166 kcal per day, how many sea otters does it require, based on the average sea otter's energy consumption?
If a killer whale needs 240,166 kcal per day, how many sea otters does it require, based on the average sea otter's energy consumption?
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How many killer whales would be needed to consume 40,000 sea otters in one day?
How many killer whales would be needed to consume 40,000 sea otters in one day?
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Study Notes
Energy Transfer in Trophic Pyramids
- Organisms in a trophic pyramid have a hierarchical structure, with producers at the bottom, followed by primary consumers, secondary consumers, and eventually tertiary consumers.
- Energy transfer between levels is inefficient. Approximately 10% of the energy at one trophic level is transferred to the next.
- The remaining energy is lost as heat through cellular respiration or is used in other activities.
Trophic Pyramid Considerations
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An apex predator like an orca requires more energy than a wolf due to its larger size and higher metabolic rate.
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Abiotic factors such as water availability, pH, nutrient concentrations, and temperature can affect organisms within a trophic pyramid.
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Biotic factors like competition, predation, and disease influence populations and energy transfer.
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Key nutrient cycles, such as the carbon and nitrogen cycles, are vital to energy flow and ecosystem health.
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The carbon cycle involves photosynthesis and respiration, where carbon is transferred between producers, consumers, and the atmosphere.
Sea Otter and Killer Whale Energy Needs
- Female sea otters consume approximately 41,630 kcal per day.
- Male sea otters consume approximately 61,540 kcal per day.
- An average sea otter provides 51,505 kcal.
- On average, a female killer whale requires 193,000 kcal and a male 287,331 kcal per day.
- A killer whale would need to eat approximately 5.6 sea otters per day.
- Calculations show that a killer whale would need to eat approximately 2,060 sea otters in a year.
- To consume 40,000 sea otters in a day, 8,000 killer whales would be needed.
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Description
Explore the hierarchical structure of trophic pyramids, from producers to apex predators. Understand the efficiency of energy transfer between trophic levels and the influence of abiotic and biotic factors on ecosystems. Delve into the role of nutrient cycles in maintaining ecosystem health.
