4.7.4.1 Trophic Levels

Question 1

Trophic levels:

Answer 1

the different stages in the food chain

Question 2

How can trophic levels be represented?

Answer 2

• trophic levels can be represented by numbers
• starts with level 1 with plants and algae
• further trophic levels are numbered subsequently according to how far the organism is along the food chain

Question 3

What is level 1 of a food chain?

Answer 3

• plants and algae make their own food by photosynthesis
• producers

Question 4

What is level 2 of a food chain?

Answer 4

• herbivores eat plants/algae
• primary consumers

Question 5

What is level 3 of a food chain?

Answer 5

• carnivores that eat herbivores
• secondary consumers

Question 6

What is level 4 of a food chain?

Answer 6

• carnivores that eat other carnivores
• tertiary consumers
• apex predators are carnivores with no predators - top of the food chain

Question 7

What do decomposers do and how do they do this?

Answer 7

• decomposers break down dead plant and animal matter by secreting enzymes into the environment
• the matter is broken down into small soluble food molecules which then diffuse into the microorganism and soil
• so nutrients and minerals returned to soil