Chapter 2.2 Bio Food chains Flashcards
What is a food chain?
The flow of nutrients and energy from one organism to another at different trophic levels forms a food chain.
What does the Sun do?
It is the initial source of energy which provides energy for everything on the planet.
What are decomposers?
They are organisms that get energy from breaking down dead or waste organic material, into simpler substances which they absorb. These substances can return to the soil as inorganic substances.
What are scavengers
These are organisms that eat other dead organisms and leave behind smaller pieces which are easier/quicker for a decomposer to break down. Thus, scavengers help the decomposers, and in a way, also help to keep the habitat clean.
Why are decomposers important for a habitat/what is their purpose?
Decomposers are important for because they clean up a habitat (by breaking down organic material into simpler inorganic substances and absorbing it as their food). Some of the leftovers from these organisms contain nutrients and are absorbed into the soil and then recycled in an ecosystem. The soil uses these nutrients to grow other organisms.
Why are plants at the beginning of a food chain?
Green plants are autotrophs (meaning they can make their food) so they are producers and can provide food for all organisms in the living kingdom. This is why they are at the beginning of all food chains,
