Mrs. Keadle JH Science
Name__________________________________ period _____
date assigned_____________ date due ______________ date returned _____________
Chains, Webs, and Pyramids Assessment
Living organisms from bacterial decomposers to plants, herbivores, carnivores, omnivores and
scavengers can be arranged in food chains, webs, and pyramids. You will use the energy transfer cards
to arrange the living organisms into various levels.
food chain
A food chain shows a single path as animals eat each other. The
organisms are linked in the order they need to feed upon each other. The
flow of energy begins with the sun and transfers through the chain as
matter is consumed.
EXAMPLE :
sun
grass
deer
human
Using the energy transfer cards, create an example food chain for each color.
red card
food chain
blue card
food chain
yellow card
food chain
1
Chains, Webs, and Pyramids
Mrs. Keadle JH Science
food web
A food web shows how many animals are interconnected by different
paths. Many animals belong to several different food chains. These chains
form a network for energy transfer to occur. The flow of energy begins
with the sun and can follow different paths through the web rather than a
straight line like a chain.
EXAMPLE :
bobcat
grass
deer
sun
mountain lion
rabbit
tree
Using the energy transfer cards, create an example food web for each color.
red card
food web
blue card
food web
yellow card
food web
2
Chains, Webs, and Pyramids
Mrs. Keadle JH Science
trophic level
A trophic level indicates an organism’s position in a food chain. Plants are
on the first level because they produce their own food. Usually, plant
eaters will go on the second level. The number of consumers in each level
will decrease as the trophic level gets higher because the amount of
energy available is getting smaller.
EXAMPLE :
bobcat
quail, coyote
snail, rabbit
grass, shrubs, weeds
Using the energy transfer cards, create an example trophic level for each color.
red card trophic level
blue card trophic level
yellow card trophic level
3
Chains, Webs, and Pyramids
Mrs. Keadle JH Science
energy
pyramid
An energy pyramid shows energy flow in a community. The different
levels represent different groups of organisms that might compose a food
chain. The bottom level indicates plants and the other levels are
consumers. At each level, 90% of the energy is used by the organism and
only 10% transfers to the next level when it is eaten or dies.
EXAMPLE :
man, bear
deer, elk
acorns, grass
Using the energy transfer cards, create an example energy pyramid for each
color.
red card
energy pyramid
blue card
energy pyramid
yellow card
energy pyramid
4
Chains, Webs, and Pyramids
Mrs. Keadle JH Science
Answer the following questions. Please use complete sentences.
13. Where does all of the energy on Earth originally come from?________________________________
14. What process do plants use to turn that radiant energy into food (glucose) that can be used
15. Why are decomposers important to some cycles on Earth
16. How is energy transferred in the environment?
17. What is the 10% Rule?
18 When energy is passing through a food web, some of the energy is lost. How much of the energy
is passed from one level to the next?
A
1%
Using the diagram above of a grassland ecosystem, answer the following questions:
B 10%
C 50%
D 90%
5
Chains, Webs, and Pyramids
Mrs. Keadle JH Science
Using the diagram below of a grassland ecosystem, answer the following questions:
19 Draw and label an energy pyramid to represent this ecosystem.
20 Compare the amount of energy available in each of the levels of the pyramid.
21 Describe in words how the energy is flowing through this ecosystem.
6
Chains, Webs, and Pyramids
Mrs. Keadle JH Science
22 Mario diagrammed a food web of algae, snails, ducks, frogs, and snakes that he observed during
a summer trip to his grandparents’ farm. What is the correct arrangement of these organisms on
a trophic level pyramid.
A
B
C
D
7
Chains, Webs, and Pyramids
Mrs. Keadle JH Science
23 Mushrooms and bacteria serve an important role in an ecosystem, that of decomposer.
Decomposers break down the organic material of once living organisms such as carbon and
nitrogen. Why are decomposers important to the ecosystem?
A
They release stored energy and nutrients from dead organisms into the ecosystem.
B They eat the dead animals in the ecosystem, cleaning the habitat.
C They provide a direct food source for producers and consumers in the ecosystem.
D They are not an important component in the ecosystem.
24 Describe how a secondary consumer is dependent on the sun for energy.
25 How many organisms in this food web eat only producers? ___________________________
8
Chains, Webs, and Pyramids
Mrs. Keadle JH Science
26 Which organisms in the food web shown above compete for the same food source in this
environment?
A grasshoppers and snakes
B hawks and frogs
C frogs and snakes
D decomposers and grass
27 While exploring a lake, scientists found rocks covered with mats made of photosynthetic
microbes. Flamingos in the area filter the nutrient rich microbes by pumping lake water
through their bill. What is the relationship between the photosynthetic microbes and the
flamingos?
A The microbes are parasites, and the flamingos are hosts.
B The microbes are carnivores, and the flamingos are predators.
C The microbes are herbivores, and the flamingos are carnivores.
D The microbes are producers, and the flamingos are consumers.
9
Chains, Webs, and Pyramids
Mrs. Keadle JH Science
Extension:
Use the food web below to answer the questions:
28. In detail, explain what would happen to the organisms in this food web if the berries, fruits
and nuts are removed.
29. In detail, explain what would happen to the organisms in this food web if the coyote is
removed.
30. Where could a decomposer fit into this ecosystem?
10
Chains, Webs, and Pyramids