Energy Flow in Ecosystems
Explore the concepts of energy flow, food chains, food webs, and ecological pyramids in ecosystems.
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Energy Flow in Ecosystems
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Read each question carefully and answer to the best of your ability. Use the provided space for your responses.
1. What is the primary source of energy for almost all ecosystems on Earth?
Geothermal energy
Chemical energy
Solar energy
Nuclear energy
2. Which of the following organisms are producers in an ecosystem?
Carnivores
Herbivores
Plants
Decomposers
1. Organisms that produce their own food are called .
2. A diagram that shows how energy flows through an ecosystem by feeding relationships is called a .
3. Only about of energy is transferred from one trophic level to the next.
1. Explain the difference between a food chain and a food web.
2. Describe the role of decomposers in an ecosystem.
1. All the energy from the sun is captured by producers.
True
False
2. Tertiary consumers eat primary consumers.
True
False
Examine the food web below and answer the questions.

1. Identify two producers in this food web.
2. Identify one organism that is both a primary and secondary consumer.
3. What would happen to the population of snakes if the population of mice significantly decreased?
Study the diagram of photosynthesis and answer the questions.

1. What are the reactants needed for photosynthesis?
2. What are the products of photosynthesis?
3. Why is photosynthesis essential for energy flow in most ecosystems?