Energy Transfer and Trophic Levels

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What is a food chain?

A food chain describes the linear sequence of organisms where each is eaten by the next member in the chain.

What is a food web?

A food web is a complex network of interconnected food chains and feeding relationships in an ecosystem.

Define trophic level.

A trophic level is a step in a food chain of an ecosystem, representing a feeding relationship.

What is the 10% rule in energy transfer?

The 10% rule states that only about 10% of the energy from one trophic level is passed on to the next level.

How do the laws of thermodynamics apply to energy transfer in ecosystems?

The first law of thermodynamics (energy conservation) indicates that energy can be transformed, but not created or destroyed; the second law (entropy) suggests that energy transformations are inefficient, leading to energy loss as heat.





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1. What is a food chain?

A network of various food webs within an ecosystem.

A cycle of energy transfers between living organisms.

A food chain describes the linear sequence of organisms where each is eaten by the next member in the chain.

A diagram showing the energy output of each organism in an ecosystem.

2. What is a food web?

A food web is a complex network of interconnected food chains and feeding relationships in an ecosystem.

A linear sequence showing who eats whom.

The chart showing the energy flow in a restricted set of organisms.

A random organization of consumers in an ecosystem.

3. Define trophic level.

The highest point in a food chain.

A trophic level is a step in a food chain of an ecosystem, representing a feeding relationship.

The exact number of species in a food web.

The total amount of food consumed by an organism.

4. What is the 10% rule in energy transfer?

The 10% rule states that only about 10% of the energy from one trophic level is passed on to the next level.

Only 10% of the organisms are consumed at the next trophic level.

The 10% rule states that each step increases the population by 10%.

The principle that 90% of energy is transferred between trophic levels.

5. How do the laws of thermodynamics apply to energy transfer in ecosystems?

They describe how energy is conserved fully in biological systems.

The first law of thermodynamics (energy conservation) indicates that energy can be transformed, but not created or destroyed; the second law (entropy) suggests that energy transformations are inefficient, leading to energy loss as heat.

Only the first law is applicable because ecosystems are closed systems.

They ensure that 100% of energy is transferred in each trophic level.