Chapter 21: Energy Flow and Food Webs

Question 1

Where do omnivores fit into a food web?

Answer 1

They feed on multiple levels

Question 2

Dead organic matter

- Considered part of first trophic level

Answer 2

Detritus

Question 3

Detrivores

- Same trophic level as herbivores

Answer 3

Eat detritus - primarily bacteria, archaea and fungi

Question 4

Internal energy input into an ecosystem

Answer 4

Autochthonous input

Question 5

External energy input into an ecosystem

Answer 5

Allochthonous input

Question 6

Way of visualizing energy flow of ecosystems

Answer 6

Energy or biomass pyramids

Question 7

T/F Rates of primary production far exceed rates of herbivory

Answer 7

True

Question 8

Biomass pyramid of aquatic ecosystems

Answer 8

Inverted compared to terrestrial

Question 9

Why don’t terrestrial herbivores consume more biomass?

Answer 9

Predation (cannot reach carrying capacity), plant defenses, food quality (aquatic is more nutritous therefore herbivores gain more biomass from less)

Question 10

Proportion of biomass ingested and used by consumers

Answer 10

Assimilation efficiency

Question 11

Proportion of biomass assimilated and used to produce new consumer biomass

Answer 11

Production efficiency

Question 12

Biomass not consumed or consumed and discarded as urine or feces

Answer 12

Becomes detritus

Question 13

Plants species diversity is associated with higher or lower biomass

Answer 13

Higher