02.0C BIO Energy Flow in Ecosystems - Ecological Pyramids (PART C)

Trophic level

A position in a food chain or Ecological Pyramid occupied by a group of organisms with similar feeding mode.

Energy Flow in an Ecosystem

Flows through an ecosystem in a one-way stream, from primary producers to various consumers.

Ecological pyramid

A diagram that shows the relative amount of energy or matter contained within each trophic level in a given food chain or food web.

Biomass

The total amount of living tissue within a given trophic level.

Primary producers

First producers of energy-rich compounds that are later used by other organisms. Examples include bacteria, algae, and plants. Also referred to as autotrophs.

Primary consumers

Organism that feed on producers; include the herbivores

Secondary consumers

Organisms that eat primary consumers; include omnivores and carnivores

Tertiary consumers

Organisms that eat secondary consumers; include carnivores

Quaternary consumers

Organism that eat tertiary consumers; include carnivores