Trophic Levels
What is the first trophic level in an energy pyramid?
Producers
What is the main source of energy for ecosystems?
The Sun
What gas do plants take in for photosynthesis?
Carbon dioxide
What is an ecosystem?
A community of living organisms and their environment
What is one way humans impact the carbon cycle?
Burning fossil fuels
Deforestation
Pollution
What is the difference between a primary and secondary consumer?
Primary consumers eat plants, while secondary consumers eat primary consumers
What type of diagram shows energy flow in an ecosystem?
Energy pyramid
What gas do animals release during respiration?
Carbon dioxide
What type of consumer eats only plants?
Herbivore
How does deforestation affect ecosystems?
It reduces oxygen production and disrupts food chains
What type of consumer is a hawk that eats a snake?
Tertiary consumer
What happens to 90% of the energy at each trophic level?
It is used for body processes and/or lost as heat
What are the two main products of photosynthesis?
Oxygen and glucose (sugar)
What type of relationship benefits both species?
Symbiotic or Mutualism
What is caused by excessive fertilizer runoff into water sources?
It can lead to algae blooms and dead zones.
What is the term for organisms that eat both plants and animals?
Omnivores
Do decomposers contribute to the flow of energy, why or why not?
No, they break down dead organisms and recycle nutrients back into the soil
What is nitrogen fixation?
The process where bacteria convert nitrogen gas into a usable form for plants
What happens if one species is removed from a food web?
It can disrupt the entire ecosystem
How does urbanization impact local ecosystems?
It destroys natural habitats, increases pollution, and reduces biodiversity.
Why do energy pyramids usually have no more than four or five trophic levels?
There is not enough energy to support more levels
What is the process by which producers convert solar energy into chemical energy?
Photosynthesis
How do decomposers help the carbon cycle?
They break down dead organisms, releasing carbon back into the atmosphere
What is the difference between a food chain and a food web?
A food chain shows a single energy pathway, while a food web shows multiple interconnected food chains
What is one way humans can help sustain ecosystems?
Reforestation
Reducing waste