Food Chains
A sequence showing how energy moves from one organism to another
food chain
Multiple connected food chains
food web
What is the largest level of the energy pyramid?
Producers
What is a producer?
Organism that makes its own food
What role do decomposers play?
Break down dead organisms
What organism starts every food chain?
Producer
Why are food webs more realistic than food chains?
Organisms have more than one food source
What percent of energy is passed to the next level?
10%
What is a primary consumer?
Herbivore
Name a decomposer
Fungus / bacteria
Give an example of a 3-organism food chain
Example: grass → rabbit → fox
What would happen if a predator is removed from a food web?
Prey populations increase
Why are there fewer organisms at the top?
Less energy available
What is a secondary consumer?
Eats herbivores
What would happen if producers disappeared?
Entire ecosystem collapses
What happens if one organism in a food chain disappears?
It disrupts the chain / affects other organisms
Name one organism that could be in multiple food chains
Example: mouse
What happens to energy that is not passed on?
Lost as heat
What type of consumer is a lion?
Carnivore / tertiary consumer
Create a food chain using: hawk, grass, snake, mouse
grass → mouse → snake → hawk
What direction does energy flow in a food chain?
From producers → consumers
Explain how a food web increases ecosystem stability
More connections = less impact if one species is lost
What level has the least energy?
Top predators
What is an omnivore?
Eats both plants and animals
WINNER TAKES ALL
Why can’t there be many levels in an energy pyramid? (Answer in 3 words or less)
Energy is lost
(or “limited energy transfer”)