Key Area 4: Energy in Ecosystems

Question 1

What does a pyramid of numbers show

Answer 1

The numerical relationship between organisms

Producer (most numerous) bottom
Final consumer (least numerous) top

Question 2

Why would a pyramid of numbers have an irregular shape

Answer 2

Based on different body sizes are represented as true pyramids of energy

Question 3

Why are food chains 4 (or less) organisms in length

Answer 3

Energy transfers limit food chains

Question 4

What has energy been used for if it is available at the next level of a food chain

Answer 4

Used for growth
At the next level for energy requirements

Question 5

Three ways in which energy can be lost from a food chain

Answer 5

1. heat
2. temperature
3. undigested materials

Question 6

What is a food web

Answer 6

Natural interconnection of food chains and a graphical representation of what eats what in an ecological community

Question 7

Producer

Answer 7

Organisms that creates its own food/energy

Question 8

Consumer

Answer 8

Organism that gets it’s energy from another organism

Question 9

Decomposer

Answer 9

Breaks down dead organisms

Question 10

An irregular pyramid of numbers based on different body sizes can be represented as>

Answer 10

True pyramids of energys

Question 11

Energy transfer

Answer 11

In transfers from one level to another the majority of energy is lost.

Question 12

Pyramid of energy

Answer 12

Illustrates the numerical relationship between organisms in a food chain.