1.1 - Energy Flow Of Ecosystems

Ethan is modeling food chains he observes in his local ecosystem. Which of these models represent possible food chains he might observe? Select all that apply. A. primary producer -> consumer -> consumer -> consumer -> consumer B. primary producer -> consumer -> primary producer -> consumer C. primary producer -> consumer -> consumer D. consumer -> primary producer -> consumer -> primary producer -> consumer E. consumer -> consumer -> consumer -> consumer

A & C

Difference between food chain and food web

A food chain follows one path of energy, a food web has many paths of energy. + A food chain is simple while a food web is complex

What should an ecologist measure in order to construct a pyramid of biomass for an ecosystem? A. the biomass in each trophic level of the food web B. the total mass of all the organisms in a representative area of the ecosystem C. the total mass of all the organisms in the ecosystem D. the number of organisms in each trophic level of the food web

B

Importance of decomposers?

Break down complex compounds of dead organic material into usable nutrients to be used by producers

Which trophic level generally have the most biomass? (on land)

Producers (plants)

Omnivore?

An organism that eats both plants and animals

Carnivore?

An organism that eats only animals.

Herbivore?

An organism that eats only plants

Ecologists use models to illustrate the cycling of matter and flow of energy within an ecosystem.Which of the claims below does this model support? Select all the claims that are supported. A. The number of trophic levels is unlimited. B. The number of trophic levels is limited, and typically is less than 10. C. On average, about 10 percent of available energy is transferred from one trophic level to the next. D. Among consumers in an ecosystem, first-level consumers have the most available energy. E. The maximum amount of energy in a trophic level is 10,000 Joules.

C & D

How do chemicals cycle in an ecosystem?

Chemicals are recycled by decomposers that eat DEAD MATTER

Which of the following BEST describes how energy flows in this ecosystem? A. Energy flows through all the trophic levels and then back to the producers. B. Most of the energy from the plants is transferred to the mice, grasshoppers, and rabbits because plants don't have to search for their food. C. Birds have the most energy because energy from all the other trophic levels flows to the birds. D. About ten percent of the energy at one trophic level is passed to the next trophic level.

D

How is energy recycled in an ecosystem?

Energy is NOT recycled because some is used or lost as heat

What is a pyramid of numbers?

It's a pyramid that shows the number of all organisms at each trophic level.

What is a food web?

It's when most species have more than one food source

How many trophic levels do species occupy in a food web?

More than one trophic level

Abiotic

Non-living

What does a terrestrial food chain usually start with?

Plants

What is a food chain?

Simplified way of tracing energy through an ecosystem

What does the arrows in a food chain show?

The direction that energy FLOWS in

How many tropic levels are there in a food chain? Name them all

There are 5 trophic levels. 1. Producers 👉 2. Primary consumers 👉 3. Secondary consumers 👉 4. Tertiary consumers 👉 5. Quaternary consumers

Importance of producers

They make their own food by photosynthesis

Which trophic level generally have the least biomass? (on land)

Top carnivores

How much energy is passed from one trophic level to the next?

about 10%

What is an ecosystem?

all biotic and abiotic features in a given area

They are the primary producers in many _______ that overlap to form a(n) _________ . (A) food webs (B) ecological pyramids (C) food chains (D) trophic levels

food chains - food webs

What is a pyramid of biomass?

it shows the amount of mass of all organisms at each trophic level

What is a pyramid of energy?

it shows the relative amount of energy available at each trophic level.

Biotic

living

In the open ocean, tiny organisms called _____ perform photosynthesis.

phytoplankton

What does an Aquatic food chain usually start with?

phytoplankton