Energy Transfer Through The Ecosystem

Question 1

What is the primary source of energy for ecosystems?

Answer 1

The sun.

Question 2

True or False: All organisms in an ecosystem are either producers or consumers.

Answer 2

True.

Question 3

Fill in the blank: Producers convert _____ energy into chemical energy.

Answer 3

solar.

Question 4

What process do plants use to convert solar energy into chemical energy?

Answer 4

Photosynthesis.

Question 5

Define ‘trophic level’.

Answer 5

A trophic level is the position an organism occupies in a food chain.

Question 6

What are primary consumers?

Answer 6

Organisms that eat producers; typically herbivores.

Question 7

Which trophic level consists of organisms that eat primary consumers?

Answer 7

Secondary consumers.

Question 8

True or False: Decomposers play a crucial role in recycling nutrients in an ecosystem.

Answer 8

True.

Question 9

What is the role of producers in an ecosystem?

Answer 9

To convert solar energy into chemical energy through photosynthesis.

Question 10

Fill in the blank: The efficiency of energy transfer between trophic levels is typically around _____%.

Answer 10

10.

Question 11

What is a food chain?

Answer 11

A linear sequence of organisms through which nutrients and energy pass as one organism eats another.

Question 12

What is a food web?

Answer 12

A complex network of feeding relationships among organisms in an ecosystem.

Question 13

True or False: Energy is recycled in ecosystems.

Answer 13

False.

Question 14

What happens to energy that is not transferred to the next trophic level?

Answer 14

It is lost as heat.

Question 15

What are the three main types of ecological pyramids?

Answer 15

Pyramid of numbers, pyramid of biomass, and pyramid of energy.

Question 16

Define ‘biomass’.

Answer 16

The total mass of living matter in a given area or volume.

Question 17

What is the primary role of decomposers in an ecosystem?

Answer 17

To break down dead organic matter and recycle nutrients.

Question 18

Fill in the blank: The total energy available decreases at each _____ level.

Answer 18

trophic.

Question 19

What is meant by ‘energy flow’ in an ecosystem?

Answer 19

The transfer of energy from one trophic level to another.

Question 20

True or False: Herbivores are considered primary consumers.

Answer 20

True.

Question 21

What is a top predator?

Answer 21

An organism at the top of the food chain with no natural enemies.

Question 22

Fill in the blank: The process of converting dead organic matter into nutrients is called _____.

Answer 22

decomposition.

Question 23

What is the significance of the 10% rule in energy transfer?

Answer 23

Only about 10% of energy is passed from one trophic level to the next.

Question 24

Define ‘net primary productivity’.

Answer 24

The rate at which all the plants in an ecosystem produce net useful chemical energy.

Question 25

What factors can affect primary productivity?

Answer 25

Light, temperature, water availability, and nutrient levels.

Question 26

True or False: Carnivores are secondary consumers.

Answer 26

True.

Question 27

What do you call organisms that break down waste and dead organisms?

Answer 27

Decomposers.

Question 28

Fill in the blank: The _____ level is the first level of the food chain.

Answer 28

producer.

Question 29

What is the difference between a food chain and a food web?

Answer 29

A food chain is a linear sequence, while a food web is a complex network of interconnected food chains.

Question 30

True or False: Energy is lost at each trophic level primarily as heat.

Answer 30

True.

Question 31

What is the main reason energy transfer is inefficient?

Answer 31

Energy is lost as metabolic heat during respiration and other processes.

Question 32

Fill in the blank: Organisms that obtain energy by consuming other organisms are called _____ consumers.

Answer 32

heterotrophic.

Question 33

What is the role of autotrophs in an ecosystem?

Answer 33

To produce their own food using sunlight or chemical energy.

Question 34

Define 'secondary productivity'.

Answer 34

The generation of biomass by heterotrophic organisms.

Question 35

What is an example of a primary producer?

Answer 35

Plants.

Question 36

Fill in the blank: The _____ pyramid illustrates the total energy available at each trophic level.

Answer 36

energy.

Question 37

What is the main function of primary consumers?

Answer 37

To consume producers and convert their energy into biomass.

Question 38

True or False: All organisms at the same trophic level have the same energy content.

Answer 38

False.

Question 39

What is 'trophic cascade'?

Answer 39

A phenomenon where changes in one trophic level cause ripple effects throughout the ecosystem.

Question 40

Fill in the blank: The _____ level consists of organisms that eat herbivores.

Answer 40

secondary.

Question 41

What is the effect of increased primary productivity on an ecosystem?

Answer 41

It can support more consumers and increase biodiversity.

Question 42

Define 'energy pyramid'.

Answer 42

A graphical representation showing the flow of energy through a food chain.

Question 43

What happens to energy as it moves up the trophic levels?

Answer 43

It decreases due to energy loss at each level.

Question 44

Fill in the blank: Organisms that feed on both plants and animals are called _____.

Answer 44

omnivores.

Question 45

What is the primary energy source for producers?

Answer 45

Solar energy.

Question 46

True or False: Energy can be created and destroyed in an ecosystem.

Answer 46

False.

Question 47

What is the primary factor limiting the number of trophic levels in an ecosystem?

Answer 47

Energy availability.

Question 48

Fill in the blank: The total amount of energy captured by photosynthesis is known as _____ productivity.

Answer 48

gross.

Question 49

What is the role of a tertiary consumer?

Answer 49

To eat secondary consumers.

Question 50

True or False: Energy flows in a linear direction through an ecosystem.

Answer 50

True.

Question 51

What is 'biomagnification'?

Answer 51

The increasing concentration of toxic substances in organisms at higher trophic levels.

Question 52

Fill in the blank: The _____ process involves the breakdown of organic matter by decomposers.

Answer 52

decomposition.

Question 53

What is the primary purpose of the nitrogen cycle in ecosystems?

Answer 53

To convert nitrogen into forms usable by plants.

Question 54

Define 'nutrient cycling'.

Answer 54

The movement and exchange of organic and inorganic matter back into the production of living matter.

Question 55

What is a 'keystone species'?

Answer 55

A species that has a disproportionately large effect on its environment relative to its abundance.

Question 56

Fill in the blank: The _____ level includes organisms that are typically predators.

Answer 56

tertiary.

Question 57

True or False: The number of organisms typically decreases at higher trophic levels.

Answer 57

True.

Question 58

What is 'energy efficiency' in the context of ecosystems?

Answer 58

The ratio of energy output to energy input at each trophic level.

Question 59

Fill in the blank: The _____ level is the last in a food chain and consists of top predators.

Answer 59

quaternary.

Question 60

What is a 'detritivore'?

Answer 60

An organism that feeds on dead organic matter.

Question 61

True or False: Primary producers are always plants.

Answer 61

False.

Question 62

What type of organisms are typically found at the base of an energy pyramid?

Answer 62

Producers.

Question 63

Fill in the blank: The _____ efficiency of a trophic level can be influenced by the type of organisms present.

Answer 63

energy.

Question 64

What is the main source of energy for chemosynthetic organisms?

Answer 64

Chemical energy from inorganic compounds.

Question 65

Define 'primary succession'.

Answer 65

The process of ecological change that occurs in an area where no soil exists.

Question 66

What role do fungi play in ecosystems?

Answer 66

They act as decomposers, breaking down organic matter.

Question 67

Fill in the blank: The _____ level in a food chain typically contains the least biomass.

Answer 67

top.

Question 68

What is the impact of invasive species on energy transfer in ecosystems?

Answer 68

They can disrupt food webs and alter energy flow.

Question 69

True or False: In an ecosystem, energy is recycled but nutrients are not.

Answer 69

False.

Question 70

What is 'secondary succession'?

Answer 70

The process of ecological change that occurs in an area where soil is present but has been disturbed.

Question 71

Fill in the blank: An ecosystem's _____ is determined by the interactions between its biotic and abiotic components.

Answer 71

structure.

Question 72

What are 'herbivores'?

Answer 72

Organisms that primarily consume plant material.

Question 73

True or False: Energy transfer is 100% efficient.

Answer 73

False.

Question 74

What is the significance of the carbon cycle in ecosystems?

Answer 74

It regulates the flow of carbon among the atmosphere, land, and oceans.

Question 75

Fill in the blank: The _____ of energy through an ecosystem is a key factor in determining its productivity.

Answer 75

flow.

Question 76

What is the main consequence of energy loss at each trophic level?

Answer 76

Fewer organisms can be supported at higher trophic levels.

Question 77

True or False: All ecosystems have the same energy flow patterns.

Answer 77

False.

Question 78

What is a 'food chain diagram'?

Answer 78

A visual representation showing the feeding relationships between organisms.