Lesson 3.3 Quiz

Which of the following most accurately describes the flow of energy and matter through a food chain?

Algae --> small fish --> shorebird --> bobcat

On average, what proportion of the energy is transferred from one trophic level to the next?

10%

If you were to draw a five-level energy pyramid, where would you show the greatest amount of available energy?

At the first (lowest) level

Energy flows in a "one-way stream" through an ecosystem. Which statement best supports this description of energy in an ecosystem?

Energy flows through a pyramid of energy and is not reused; it is lost as heat.

In a marsh ecosystem, alligators feed on blue crabs. Blue crabs feed on saltmeadow grass, shrimp, and detritus. What would most likely happen to the food web if there were a sudden decrease in the number of blue crabs?

The populations of shrimp and saltmeadow grass would increase while the population of alligators would decrease.