3.3 Food Web/Trophic Cascade

Question 1

Define Trophic Level

Answer 1

each of several hierarchical levels in an ecosystem, comprising organisms that share the same function in the food chain and the same nutritional relationship to the primary sources of energy

Question 2

Define Autotroph

Answer 2

an organism that can produce its own food using light, water, carbon dioxide, or other chemicals

Question 3

Define Heterotroph

Answer 3

an organism that eats other plants or animals for energy and nutrients

Question 4

Define Herbivore

Answer 4

an animal that feeds on plants

Question 5

Define Omnivore

Answer 5

an animal that eats food of both plant and animal origin

Question 6

Define Carnivore

Answer 6

an animal that feeds on flesh

Question 7

Define Detritivore

Answer 7

an animal which feeds on dead organic material, especially plant detritus

Question 8

Define Keystone Species

Answer 8

a species on which other species in an ecosystem largely depend, such that if it were removed the ecosystem would change drastically

Question 9

Define Trophic Cascade

Answer 9

a graph including powerful indirect interactions that can control entire ecosystems

Question 10

What is the difference between a trophic cascade and a food web?

Answer 10

food webs only show the direct effects between consumers and

Question 11

True or False?
Dashed lines represent indirect effects in a trophic cascade?

Answer 11

True.
on the opposite side, solid lines represent direct effects in a trophic cascade