Food Chains, Food Webs, and Energy Pyramids

Energy begins with photosynthesis. ​

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Where does energy begin?

Plants use water & carbon dioxide to store energy from the sun in glucose.

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​Organisms that use photosynthesis to make food are called producers.​

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​Photosynthesis

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You have to know the formula for photosynthesis.

All organisms use cellular respiration to turn their food into energy. ​

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Organisms that eat food to get energy are called consumers. ​

​You have to know the formula for cellular respiration.

Cellular Respiration

Second trophic level

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​Herbivores = only eat plants

Primary consumer

​​Secondary consumer

​Fourth trophic level

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Carnivores or Omnivore

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Predator or Scavenger​

Tertiary consumers

​Third tropic level​

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Carnivores = only eat animals

Omnivores = eat plants and animals​

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Predator or Scavenger​

Food chains show how energy is transferred from the sun to each trophic level (producer, primary consumer, etc.)

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​Food Chains

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Food webs show several energy pathways within an ecosystem.

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​Food Webs

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90% of energy is lost with each trophic level.

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They show:

• the amount of energy decreases for higher consumers

• a large number of producers are needed to support an​ ecosystem.

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​Energy Pyramids

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