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Energy Pyramid

Objective: Use an energy pyramid to explain the transfer of energy between organisms in a food chain.

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All living things require energy.

Where does most of the energy for life come from?

Sunlight!

Sunlight is the main energy source for life on Earth – producers make sugar from it!

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Producers�

Plants can capture energy from sunlight to produce food.

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Consumers

Organisms that rely on other organisms for their energy and food supply.

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*Energy flows through an ecosystem in one direction

Sun ►Producers ► Consumers.

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Feeding Relationships

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Algae

Zooplankton

Small Fish

Squid

Shark

producer

1st consumer

2nd consumer

3rd consumer

4th consumer

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How efficient is the transfer of energy among organisms in an ecosystem?

What percent would you say is transferred to the next consumer?

Pgs. 114-115

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*Only 10 % of energy is passed on to each new level

*90% of the energy is used up or lost!

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Used/Lost

Transferred

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Grasses

Locusts

Snakes

Owl

Producer

Primary consumer

Secondary consumer

Tertiary

consumer

100% of the energy in chain

10% of energy

from grass

1% of energy

from grass

0.1% energy from grass

Low Energy High

High Population Low

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Energy Pyramid -

Shows how much food energy in a food chain is passed from each level to the next

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3–2

The main source of energy for life on Earth is

organic chemical compounds.
inorganic chemical compounds.
sunlight.
producers.

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End Show

Slide

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3–2

How does a food web differ from a food chain?

A food web contains a single series of energy transfers.
A food web links many food chains together.
A food web has only one level.
A food web shows how energy passes from producer to consumer.

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End Show

Slide

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3–2

The amount of energy represented in each level of consumers in an energy pyramid is about

10% of the level below it.
90% of the level below it.
10% more than the level below it.
90% more than the level below it.

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End Show

Slide

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Working:

Complete the back of your notes page. Answer the questions at the end.
Add to notebooks

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Optional Evidence: This food web shows some of the feeding relationships in a salt-marsh community. Create an energy pyramid from one of the food chains in the picture. Label the amount of energy received from the trophic level before it and if it is a producer, consumer, etc. Also explain what is happening to energy that is lost (dissipated).

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END OF SECTION

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Word: Trophic Level	Definition: Each step or link in a food chain
Similar: Trophy	Why they’re similar: The next organism wins over the previous

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Feeding Relationships

Each step in a food chain is called a trophic level.

Producers make up the first trophic level.
Consumers make up the second, third, or higher trophic levels.
Each consumer depends on the trophic level below it for energy.

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