Food Chain/ Food Webs
What is a food chain?
A food chain is a series of steps in which
organisms transfer energy from one organism to
another by eating and by being eaten.
In an ecosystem, what is the
ultimate source of energy?
The sun
What travels through an energy pyramid
What are autotrophs?
Autotrophs are organisms that have the
ability to use energy from the sun to
convert simple inorganic substances into
complex organic substances.
Autotrophs convert carbon dioxide and
water into carbohydrates (glucose).
What is a trophic level?
Each step in a food chain is called a trophic level.
The trophic level indicates the organism’s
position in the sequence of energy transfers.
What are “decomposers”?
Decomposers are a class of detritivores
that cause decay by breaking down organic
compounds into simpler compounds.
What is an ecosystem?
An ecosystem is all the living organisms in
a given area as well as the abiotic factors
with which they interact.
What's an energy pyramid?
it shows the amount of energy in an ecosystem and it's transferred
What are heterotrophs?
Heterotrophs are organisms that cannot
make their own food.
They rely on other organisms for their
energy and food supply.
What is the basic definition of
“photosynthesis”?
Photosynthesis is the process by
which green plants (and a few other
organisms) use the light energy from
the sun to convert water and carbon
dioxide into glucose and oxygen.
What is the first step in every food
chain?
All food chains begin with an autotroph.
How much of the sun’s energy is
used by the living organisms on
Earth?
Of all the sun’s energy that reaches
the earth, less than 1% is actually
used by living organisms.
By how much does each level get divided by to get its kcal?
Its divided by 10.
Why are the autotrophs called
“producers”?
These organisms are producers of glucose
and oxygen.
What are autotrophs?
Autotrophs are organisms that have the
ability to use energy from the sun to
convert simple inorganic substances into
complex organic substances.
Autotrophs convert carbon dioxide and
water into carbohydrates (glucose).
What is a food web?
Food web: The network of complex interactions
formed by the feeding relationships among the
various organisms in an ecosystem.
A food web links all the food chains in an
ecosystem together.
Which 1% of living organisms are
capable of making use of the sun’s
energy?
This 1% is used by the organisms that
are capable of photosynthesis.
How much energy is lost within the trophic levels?
90% is lost at heat.
Why are heterotrophs called
“consumers”?
They are called “consumers” because they
must consume the food made by
autotrophs in order to satisfy their energy
requirements.
What are hetetrophs
Heterotrophs are organisms that cannot
make their own food.
They rely on other organisms for their
energy and food supply.
How do Primary Producers create their own energy?
Plants or Phytoplankton use photosynthesis from the suns energy.
What is the basic definition of
“photosynthesis”?
Photosynthesis is the process by
which green plants (and a few other
organisms) use the light energy from
the sun to convert water and carbon
dioxide into glucose and oxygen.
How much energy is passed within each trophic level?
only 10%
What are herbivores?
Herbivores obtain energy by eating only
plants.
What are omnivores.
They are consumers which eat both plants and animals.