8.5 - Trophic levels

• What term is used for the stages in a food chain?

  Trophic levels
• Which trophic level contains secondary consumers?

  Trophic level 3
• What do the arrows in a food chain show?

  The transfer of energy and biomass
• What is an omnivore?

  An organism which eats both plants and animals
• What is a herbivore?

  An organism that only eats plants
• What is a carnivore?


  An animal that only eats other animals
• Why are food chains usually no longer than five or six trophic levels?

  Only ~10% of the energy and biomass is transferred between each level
• What is a decomposer?

  An organism that breaks down dead organisms.
• 2 examples of decomposers

  bacteria and fungi
• What are Detrivores?

  Small animals like worms and woodlice that help to break down organic matter into smaller pieces