Trophic Levels

• What are trophic levels?

  Different stages of the food chain consisting of one or more organism that perform a specific role in the food chain
• How are trophic levels named?

  Each level is numbered in order starting with the producers based on how far along the food chain the organisms are
• What trophic level is a secondary consumer in?

  Trophic level 3
• What type of organism is in trophic level 2?

  Primary consumer
• Carnivores with no predators are always at which point of the food chain?

  The top
• What is the term for a predator at the top of the food chain?

  Apex predator
• What role do decomposers play in the food chain?

  They break down uneaten remains and waste
• What are examples of decomposers?

  • Fungi
  • Bacteria
• How do decomposers decompose dead animals or plants?

  They secrete enzymes that break down the material into small soluble food molecules which diffuse into the microorganism