Energy Flow through
an Ecosystem
Photosynthesis,
Food Chains,
Food Webs, &
Energy Pyramids
1
Organisms that can
make glucose during
photosynthesis
2
Plants use ___________
they receive from the sun
& convert it to
______________
in a process called
____________.
3
6CO2 + 6H2O + sunlight & chlorophyll
C6H12O6 + 6O2
4
Producers use most
of the energy they
make for
___________.
5
The energy that is not
used by producers can
be passed on to
organisms that cannot
make their own
energy.
6
Organisms that
cannot make their
own energy
7
A consumer that eats
producers to get energy:
•Is called a (primary) or
___________________
8
Most of the energy the
primary consumer gets from
the producer is used by the
consumer. Some energy is
stored and can be passed on.
9
A consumer that eats another
consumer for energy:
•Is called a __________
or second order consumer
10
Most of the energy the
secondary consumer gets
from the primary consumer
is used by the secondary
consumer. Some energy is
stored and can be passed
on.
11
A consumer that eats a
consumer that already ate a
consumer:
•Is called a 3rd order
or __________ consumer
12
Types of Consumers:
Organism that cannot make its
own food so it consumes plants.
Organism that cannot make its
own food so it consumes plants
and animals.
Organism that cannot make its
own food so it consumes other
animals.
Organism that breaks down dead
plants and animals to recycle
nutrients in the environment.
Think of examples for each type of consumer!
13
Consumers that eat
other dead consumers
are called ________
14
The transfer of energy from the
sun to producer to primary
consumer then to higher order
consumers
15
Label the parts of this food chain:
16
More Food Chains
17
Another way of showing
the transfer of energy
in an ecosystem
18
Food Chains Show Available Energy
19
Energy Pyramids Show
•It takes a large number
of producers to support a
small number of primary
consumers
•It takes a large number
of primary consumers to
support a small number of
secondary consumers
•Energy is transferred up
the food pyramid
20
21
•Interconnected
food chains
•They show the
feeding
relationships in
an ecosystem
22
What do the arrows
represent?
Energy transfer from
organism to organism in
the food web
23
How are food webs
limited models?
Food webs do not include
all parts (animals and
resources) of an
ecosystem.
24
How Many Chains are in
this web?
25
Identify the Producers, Consumers, &
Decomposers:
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Now let’s try some more!
Food Chain:
http://www.ecokids.ca/pub/eco_info/top
ics/frogs/chain_reaction/index.cfm
Food Web:
http://www.harcourtschool.com/activity/
food/food_menu.html
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