1.8-1.11 Energy Transfer

Primary productivity

rate at which organic matter is created by producers (via photosynthesis) in an ecosystem

NPP (net primary productivity)

The energy captured by producers in an ecosystem minus the energy producers respire

Trophic levels

The hierarchical levels of the food chain through which energy flows from primary producers to primary consumers, secondary consumers and so on.

Conservation of matter

the principle stating that matter is not created or destroyed during a chemical reaction

Omnivore

A consumer that eats both plants and animals

Carnivore

A consumer that eats only animals.

Herbivore

A consumer that eats only plants.

First law of thermodynamics

Energy can be transferred and transformed, but it cannot be created or destroyed.

second law of thermodynamics

when energy is changed from one form to another, some useful energy is lost as heat

Energy pyramid

Shows the amount of energy that moves from one trophic level to another in a food web

10% rule

Only 10% of the total energy produced at each trophic level is available to the next level. The amount of energy passed up to the levels of the trophic pyramid decreases as you go up.

producers (autotrophs)

organisms that make their own food by using a primary energy source (such as sunlight or heat) to conduct photosynthesis or chemosynthesis

Primary consumers

animals that feed on producers; ex. herbivores like rabbits or deer

secondary consumers

carnivores that eat herbivores; ex wolves, lions

tertiary consumers

carnivores that eat secondary consumers; ex large birds of prey

heterotrophs

An organism that obtains organic food molecules by eating other organisms or their by-products. (basically consumers like animals)