Energy Flow and Trophic Levels in Ecosystems

Law of Conservation of Energy

Energy cannot be created nor destroyed; only transformed.

Energy flow in ecosystems

Energy is lost as heat at each trophic level.

Role of detritivores

Break down organic matter into simpler forms.

Producers

Organisms that produce energy through photosynthesis.

Tertiary consumers

Fewest organisms due to energy inefficiency.

Types of consumers

Includes herbivores, carnivores, omnivores, and detritivores.

Chemosynthetic organisms

Convert inorganic compounds into energy without sunlight.

Energy loss factors

Includes heat, reproduction, homeostasis, growth, and waste.

Food chain roles

Producers, primary, secondary, and tertiary consumers.

Energy Pyramid

Illustrates distribution of energy in an ecosystem.

Biomass Pyramid

Shows distribution of biomass among trophic levels.

Pyramid of Numbers

Represents the number of organisms at each level.

Trophic levels sequence

Producers, primary consumers, secondary consumers, tertiary consumers.

Energy transfer steps

Sun, producers, herbivores, secondary consumers, tertiary consumers.

Base of food chains

Producers are foundational in food chains.

Consumers of dead matter

Detritivores feed on dead organic material.

Primary consumers

Herbivores that consume producers.

Secondary consumers

Carnivores that eat primary consumers.

Energy efficiency

Decreases at higher trophic levels.

Heat loss

Energy lost as heat during metabolic processes.

Nitrifying bacteria

Example of chemosynthetic organisms.

Cyanobacteria

Photosynthetic bacteria that produce oxygen.

Detritivore

Consumer feeding on dead organic matter.

Food Web

Interrelated collection of multiple food chains.

Energy Loss

Reduction of energy at each trophic level.

Biomass Pyramid

Illustrates total dry mass at trophic levels.

Chemoautotrophs

Organisms using chemical energy for survival.

Heat Loss

Significant energy loss in all trophic levels.

Cellular Respiration

Process causing energy loss in food chains.

Decomposers

Organisms breaking down organic matter for nutrients.

Keystone Species

Species stabilizing ecosystems and enhancing energy flow.

Trophic Level

Position in a food chain or web.

Primary Consumers

Herbivores feeding directly on producers.

Secondary Consumers

Carnivores feeding on primary consumers.

Tertiary Consumers

Top predators in a food chain.

Energy Transfer

Movement of energy through trophic levels.

Food Chain Purpose

Models feeding relationships and tracks energy flow.

Population Size

Number of organisms at each trophic level.

Energy Efficiency

Predicts how well energy is utilized in ecosystems.

Diatoms

Microscopic algae acting as primary producers.

Cyanobacteria

Photosynthetic bacteria contributing to energy production.

Protozoa

Single-celled organisms functioning as decomposers.

Fungi

Decomposers breaking down organic material.

Energy Utilization

Energy used for growth and metabolic processes.

Primary Consumers

Organisms that consume producers for energy.

Food Web

Interconnected food chains within an ecosystem.

Trophic Level

Position in a food chain based on energy source.

Keystone Species

Species that significantly impacts ecosystem structure.

Energy Transfer Efficiency

Percentage of energy passed between trophic levels.

Ecological Hotspots

Areas with high species diversity and endemism.

Producers

Organisms that convert sunlight into energy.

Secondary Consumers

Organisms that eat primary consumers.

Biomass

Total dry mass of living matter in an area.

Cellular Respiration

Process of converting glucose into usable energy.

Heat Loss

Energy released to the environment as heat.

Growth

Increase in size or biomass of an organism.

Waste

Unused energy expelled from an organism.

Energy Flow

Movement of energy through an ecosystem's trophic levels.

Photosynthesis

Process by which producers convert sunlight into energy.

Chemosynthesis

Energy production using chemical reactions, not sunlight.

Detritivore

Organisms that consume decomposing organic matter.

Energy Pyramid

Diagram showing energy loss at each trophic level.

Food Chain

Linear sequence of energy transfer between organisms.

Biodiversity

Variety of life in a particular habitat.

Producer Biomass

Total mass of producers in an ecosystem.