Trophic Levels - AP Environmental Science
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What trophic level do carnivores that eat herbivores occupy?
What trophic level do carnivores that eat herbivores occupy?
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Secondary consumers. They consume primary consumers (herbivores).
Secondary consumers. They consume primary consumers (herbivores).
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Which trophic level do herbivores belong to?
Which trophic level do herbivores belong to?
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Primary consumers. They feed directly on producers (plants).
Primary consumers. They feed directly on producers (plants).
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What percentage of energy is typically lost between trophic levels?
What percentage of energy is typically lost between trophic levels?
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90%. Due to metabolic processes and heat loss.
90%. Due to metabolic processes and heat loss.
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What is the primary purpose of a food chain?
What is the primary purpose of a food chain?
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To illustrate energy flow through an ecosystem. Shows the linear transfer of energy between organisms.
To illustrate energy flow through an ecosystem. Shows the linear transfer of energy between organisms.
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What is the term for energy lost as heat at each trophic level?
What is the term for energy lost as heat at each trophic level?
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Entropy. Energy dissipated during metabolic processes at each level.
Entropy. Energy dissipated during metabolic processes at each level.
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Identify the type of consumer that eats both plants and animals.
Identify the type of consumer that eats both plants and animals.
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Omnivores. They can function at multiple trophic levels simultaneously.
Omnivores. They can function at multiple trophic levels simultaneously.
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What is the significance of keystone species in trophic levels?
What is the significance of keystone species in trophic levels?
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They play a critical role in maintaining ecosystem balance. Their removal can cause cascading effects throughout the ecosystem.
They play a critical role in maintaining ecosystem balance. Their removal can cause cascading effects throughout the ecosystem.
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What is a pyramid of biomass?
What is a pyramid of biomass?
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A graphical representation of biomass at each trophic level. Typically pyramid-shaped due to energy loss at each level.
A graphical representation of biomass at each trophic level. Typically pyramid-shaped due to energy loss at each level.
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What is the role of decomposers in an ecosystem?
What is the role of decomposers in an ecosystem?
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Break down dead material and recycle nutrients. Essential for nutrient cycling in ecosystems.
Break down dead material and recycle nutrients. Essential for nutrient cycling in ecosystems.
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Which organisms are at the base of the food chain in the ocean?
Which organisms are at the base of the food chain in the ocean?
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Phytoplankton. Primary producers that convert sunlight into chemical energy.
Phytoplankton. Primary producers that convert sunlight into chemical energy.
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What is the role of an apex predator?
What is the role of an apex predator?
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Top of the food chain; no natural predators. Controls prey populations and maintains ecosystem balance.
Top of the food chain; no natural predators. Controls prey populations and maintains ecosystem balance.
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What is the significance of the 10% rule in energy transfer?
What is the significance of the 10% rule in energy transfer?
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Only 10% of energy is passed to the next trophic level. Explains why food chains are typically short.
Only 10% of energy is passed to the next trophic level. Explains why food chains are typically short.
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Identify the process through which energy is transferred in food webs.
Identify the process through which energy is transferred in food webs.
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Consumption. One organism eating another transfers energy up trophic levels.
Consumption. One organism eating another transfers energy up trophic levels.
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Which trophic level contains organisms like mushrooms?
Which trophic level contains organisms like mushrooms?
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Decomposers. Fungi that break down dead organic material.
Decomposers. Fungi that break down dead organic material.
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Which level of the food web do detritivores belong to?
Which level of the food web do detritivores belong to?
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Decomposers. They consume dead organic matter and waste products.
Decomposers. They consume dead organic matter and waste products.
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What is the typical energy transfer efficiency between trophic levels?
What is the typical energy transfer efficiency between trophic levels?
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Approximately 10%. Known as the 10% rule in ecology.
Approximately 10%. Known as the 10% rule in ecology.
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Name an organism that functions as a decomposer.
Name an organism that functions as a decomposer.
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Fungi. Breaks down organic matter and recycles nutrients.
Fungi. Breaks down organic matter and recycles nutrients.
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What term describes organisms that produce their own food?
What term describes organisms that produce their own food?
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Autotrophs. They make their own food through photosynthesis or chemosynthesis.
Autotrophs. They make their own food through photosynthesis or chemosynthesis.
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Identify the primary producers in a terrestrial ecosystem.
Identify the primary producers in a terrestrial ecosystem.
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Plants. They convert sunlight into chemical energy through photosynthesis.
Plants. They convert sunlight into chemical energy through photosynthesis.
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Identify a factor that affects the length of food chains.
Identify a factor that affects the length of food chains.
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Energy availability. Limited energy restricts the number of sustainable trophic levels.
Energy availability. Limited energy restricts the number of sustainable trophic levels.
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What is net primary productivity?
What is net primary productivity?
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Energy available to consumers after plant respiration. Energy remaining after producers use some for cellular respiration.
Energy available to consumers after plant respiration. Energy remaining after producers use some for cellular respiration.
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State one consequence of removing a top predator from an ecosystem.
State one consequence of removing a top predator from an ecosystem.
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Disruption of trophic balance. Can lead to prey population explosions and ecosystem instability.
Disruption of trophic balance. Can lead to prey population explosions and ecosystem instability.
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Which trophic level has the most available energy?
Which trophic level has the most available energy?
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Primary producers. They capture energy directly from the sun through photosynthesis.
Primary producers. They capture energy directly from the sun through photosynthesis.
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Identify a primary producer in an aquatic ecosystem.
Identify a primary producer in an aquatic ecosystem.
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Phytoplankton. Microscopic plants that form the base of marine food webs.
Phytoplankton. Microscopic plants that form the base of marine food webs.
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Which process converts solar energy into chemical energy?
Which process converts solar energy into chemical energy?
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Photosynthesis. Used by plants to create glucose from carbon dioxide and water.
Photosynthesis. Used by plants to create glucose from carbon dioxide and water.
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What is the name for organisms that feed exclusively on plants?
What is the name for organisms that feed exclusively on plants?
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Herbivores. Primary consumers that only eat plant material.
Herbivores. Primary consumers that only eat plant material.
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What is the primary source of energy for most ecosystems?
What is the primary source of energy for most ecosystems?
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Sunlight. Powers photosynthesis in primary producers.
Sunlight. Powers photosynthesis in primary producers.
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State the formula for calculating energy transfer efficiency.
State the formula for calculating energy transfer efficiency.
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$\frac{\text{Energy at higher trophic level}}{\text{Energy at lower trophic level}} \times 100$. Measures the percentage of energy transferred between levels.
$\frac{\text{Energy at higher trophic level}}{\text{Energy at lower trophic level}} \times 100$. Measures the percentage of energy transferred between levels.
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What term describes the total energy captured by producers?
What term describes the total energy captured by producers?
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Gross primary productivity. Total energy fixed by photosynthesis before respiration losses.
Gross primary productivity. Total energy fixed by photosynthesis before respiration losses.
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Identify a key difference between food webs and food chains.
Identify a key difference between food webs and food chains.
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Food webs show multiple interactions; chains are linear. Webs are more realistic representations of ecosystem complexity.
Food webs show multiple interactions; chains are linear. Webs are more realistic representations of ecosystem complexity.
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