Trophic Structure Flashcards
What is the trophic structure
The flow of energy in food chains and food webs
Why is the trophic structure a suitable way of representing ecosystems
Gives a clear and easy to read diagram to show what eats what and how the number decreases the higher up the trophic level
Name the 4 stages of a trophic pyramid from top to bottom
Autotrophs
Herbivores
Carnivores
Omnivores
What is an autotroph
An organism that can PRODUCE ITS OWN FOOD using light, water, CO2 or other chemicals. They are known as PRODUCERS. (Plants)
What is a heterotroph
Organisms that CANNOT MAKE THEIR OWN FOOD and must rely on other organisms for food
What is a carnivore
An organism that mostly eats meat or the flesh of animals. PREDATORS
Why do trophic levels not go beyond 5
Through each level around 90% of energy is lost e.g by respiration, growing, faeces ect. And on,y around 10% of energy is stored and passed onto the next level and there will not be enough energy to extend the pyramid as organisms will decrease
What is biomass
The total weight of all the living materials and is measured in kg/m2
What happens to biomass between trophic levels
Biomass is lost
Proper definition of biomass
The organic material from plants and animals. It is the mass of a living biological organism in a given area at a certain time
What do you call each stage of the food chain
Trophic level
What do autotrophs do with the suns energy
Heat and light energy is taken in by the autotrophs and is converted by photosynthesis into growing leaves and stems
What is the equation for photosynthesis
6CO2 + 6H2O, ———> C6H12O6 + 6O2
What is photosynthesis a process of
It creates chemical food energy which is stored as a carbohydrate
What happens after the autotrophs photosynthesise
Herbivores (primary consumers) eat the plants (autotrophs) and energy is transferred
What is another name for a herbivore
Primary consumer
What is another name for a carnivore
Secondary consumer
