Food Chains and Food Webs - AP Environmental Science

Fungi or bacteria. These organisms break down dead organic matter.

A linear sequence of organisms where each is eaten by the next one. Each organism feeds on the one below it in a straight line.

Organisms that consume decomposing organic matter. They feed on dead organic material and waste.

Lower efficiency limits the number of trophic levels. Energy loss restricts food chain length significantly.

It is lost as heat due to metabolic processes. Energy converts to heat during cellular respiration.

To break down dead material and recycle nutrients. They complete nutrient cycles in ecosystems.

Secondary or tertiary consumers. Meat-eaters are found at higher feeding levels.

Disruption of ecosystem balance. Critical species maintain ecosystem structure and function.

Complex food chains can support diverse ecosystems. More pathways provide stability and species variety.

To consume producers and transfer energy to higher trophic levels. Plant-eaters connect producers to higher consumers.

A complex network of interconnected food chains in an ecosystem. Multiple food chains link together showing feeding relationships.

The abundance of producers. More producers support larger, more complex food webs.

Secondary or tertiary consumers. Meat-eaters are found at higher feeding levels.

By converting CO₂ into organic matter through photosynthesis. Plants remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

The Sun. Solar radiation powers nearly all life on Earth.

An organism that obtains energy by consuming other organisms. Other-feeding organisms that consume existing organisms.

By eating producers. They feed directly on plants and algae.

To break down dead material and recycle nutrients. They complete nutrient cycles in ecosystems.

Photosynthesis. Light energy converts to chemical energy in glucose.

Predator influence on lower trophic levels. Higher-level predators regulate prey populations below.

An organism that eats both plants and animals. These consumers eat both plant and animal matter.

It limits the number of organisms that can be supported. Energy reduction limits population sizes at each level.

Fungi or bacteria. These organisms break down dead organic matter.

A graphical representation showing the trophic levels in an ecosystem. Shows energy, biomass, or numbers at each level.

An organism that produces its own food from inorganic substances. Self-feeding organisms that make their own energy.

Chemical reactions, often in the absence of sunlight. Bacteria use chemicals instead of light for energy.

Decomposers break down dead organisms, recycling nutrients. They return essential materials to soil for producer growth.

Energy flows from producers to various levels of consumers. Energy moves upward but decreases at each level.

Mutualism, such as bees pollinating flowers. Both species benefit from their close relationship.