Africa Storyline: Lessons 5 & 6

trophic level

the position that an organism occupies in a food chain, food web, or energy pyramid

producer

an organism that uses energy to make its own food

consumer

obtains energy from eating another organism

carnivore

eats only animals

omnivore

eats both plants and animals

herbivore

eats only plants

food chain

a series of steps in which organisms transfer energy by eating and being eaten

food web

a model which shows several interrelated food chains

ecological pyramid

diagram that shows the relative amounts of energy within each trophic level in a food chain or 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 food pyramid reduces as you go up

respiration

the process by which cells break down simple food molecules and changing it into useable cellular energy, ATP

cecum

a portion of the digestive system that helps organisms digest plant material better

biomolecule

molecules that are necessary for all organisms - includes carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, & nucleic acids

carbohydrates

a biomolecule that is used for quick energy; also known as sugars

protein

a biomolecule that provides structure and function for an organism

lipid

a biomolecule used for insulation, long-term energy storage, and protection

nucleic acid

a biomolecule that stores and transmits genetic information

monomer

a molecule that can be bonded to other identical molecules to form a polymer.

polymer

molecules composed of many monomers; makes up macromolecules

digestion

the breakdown of food substances into simpler forms (monomers) that can be absorbed and used