The flow of energy through living systems can be modeled as food chains, food webs, or energy pyramids. The energy organisms need to live and grow first enters the ecosystem when which of the following occurs?

Plants take in light energy from the sun

Decomposers break down dead organisms

Primary consumers eat plants for food

Secondary consumers eat primary consumers

Question 2
Which of the following best describes how energy is transferred in a food web?

All energy is transferred to each level of a food web.

Energy flows from producers to one or more levels of consumers.

Consumers transfer their energy to producers.

Decomposers get their energy directly from the sun.

Question 3
Mr. Smith provides a diagram of a food web and asks the students to identify the various ways matter is flowing through these relationships. The diagram is provided.

Based on the diagram, it is reasonable to conclude that matter could follow which of the following paths as it cycles through this ecosystem?

Plant seeds → grass → deer

Plant seeds → field mouse → robin

Eagle → deer → plant seeds

Grass → deer → mountain lion

Question 4
Organisms that are responsible for taking in light energy to make their own food are known as which of the following?

Consumers

Heterotrophs

Producers

Decomposers

Question 5
Food webs diagram the complex relationships of energy flow in an ecosystem containing a variety of producers and consumers. A diagram is provided.

Which of the following correctly shows one path that energy would flow through this ecosystem?

Star grass → termite→ wildebeest→ aardvark

Hyena → aardvark → impala → harvester ant

Grasshopper → termite→ warthog → hare

Red oat grass → termite → wildebeest → lion

Question 6
A food web diagram is provided.

Based on this diagram, which three consumers all get their energy from the same producer?

Squirrel, robin, and field mouse

Squirrel, deer, and mountain lion

Prairie grass, deer, and mountain lion

Plant seeds, field mouse, and snake

Question 7
Destiny is given a list of organisms and asked to determine how these organisms interact together. Destiny draws them in a food web diagram, which is provided.

Based on her diagram, what is the role of the sunfish in this food web?

To break down waste products made by insect larvae

To provide energy for the bass and snapper turtles

To take in light from the sun and produce food

To consume the algae and other pond plants

Question 8
A diagram is provided.

Which of the following can be determined by this diagram?

The energy of the mongoose is passed on to the hare.

The cheetah supplies energy to a variety of organisms.

The energy of the acacia tree is passed on to the impala.

The aardvark, pangolin, and mongoose are all producers.

Question 9
Noah has collected a mold specimen found on a tree in his backyard. Noah knows the mold is a decomposer, but what role does mold play in a food web?

Breaks down organic wasters and dead organisms

Uses sunlight and water to produce its own food

Releases oxygen into the atmosphere for respiration

Provides the energy that animals need for food