Food Webs and Trophic Structures

Question 1

What is a food web?

Answer 1

A complex network of interconnecting and interlapping food chains showing feeding relationships within a community
They are how every living organism in an ecosystem is linked together

Question 2

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

Answer 2

Food chain shows how matter and energy from food are transferred from one organism to another
Food web illustrates how food chains intertwine in an ecosystem and displays the interwoven feeding relationships

Question 3

What is a trophic structure?

Answer 3

A system or organization of organisms into different trophic levels based on the amount of energy the organism consumes

Question 4

How are trophic structures formed?

Answer 4

All organisms in an ecosystem can be placed in trophic levels depending on what energy source they rely upon and how they provide energy for other organisms
These levels can them be placed in a trophic structure starting with the sun that serves as the foundation of the food web and ending with the apex predator that has no predators themselves

Question 5

What are the different levels in a trophic structure?

Answer 5

1. Sun
2. Primary producers
3. Primary consumers
4. Secondary consumers
5. Tertiary consumers
6. Decomposers

Question 6

What part does the sun play in a trophic structure?

Answer 6

Serves as the foundation of the food web
Essential for photosynthesis
Without it plants die as well as animals that rely on those plants either directly or indirectly in order to survive

Question 7

What part do primary producers play in a trophic structure?

Answer 7

Primary producers are plants
Converts energy from the sun along with carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen that serves as food for herbivores

Question 8

What part do primary consumers play in a trophic structure?

Answer 8

Consume primary producers
Herbivores
Are consumed by secondary consumers

Question 9

What part do secondary consumers play in a trophic structure?

Answer 9

Consume primary consumers
Carnivores, Insectivores, and Omnivores
Are consumed by tertiary consumers

Question 10

What part do tertiary consumers play in a trophic structure?

Answer 10

Consume secondary consumers
Carnivores otherwise known as apex predators
At the top of the food chain, have no natural predators

Question 11

What part do decomposers play in a trophic structure?

Answer 11

Made up of fungi ad bacteria that break down dead organisms, recycling nutrients back into the ecosystem
Dead and decaying flesh can usually serve as fertiliser for primary producers