Energy Flow in Ecosystems

Energy Flow in Ecosystems

Read each question carefully and answer to the best of your ability. Good luck!

1. What is the primary source of energy for almost all ecosystems on Earth?

2. An organism that produces its own food, usually through photosynthesis, is called a:

3. A food chain shows how energy is transferred from one organism to another, starting with a  .

4. Organisms that eat other organisms are called  .

5. A food   consists of many interconnected food chains in an ecosystem.

6. Explain the difference between a food chain and a food web.

7. Observe the food web below and answer the questions that follow.

a) Name one producer in this food web.  

b) Name one primary consumer in this food web.  

c) Name one secondary consumer in this food web.  

d) If the population of rabbits suddenly decreased, what impact might this have on the foxes? Explain your answer.

8. Energy flows in a single direction through an ecosystem.

9. Decomposers are important because they return nutrients to the soil.