5.L.2.2 :: Food Chains & Food Webs

food chain

Series of steps in an ecosystem in which organisms transfer energy by eating and being eaten

food web

A community of organisms where there are several interrelated food chains

energy pyramid

Shows the amount of energy that moves from one feeding level to another in a food web

organism

A living thing

producer

An organism that makes its own food (plant)

examples of producers

grass, oak tree, sunflower, rose bush

consumer

An organism that eats other organisms (animal)

primary consumer

An organism that eats producers

secondary consumer

An organism that eats primary consumers

tertiary consumer

An organism that eats secondary consumers

decomposer

An organism that breaks down wastes and dead organisms

examples of decomposers

mushroom, bacteria, fungi

herbivore

A consumer that eats only plants.

carnivore

A consumer that eats only animals.

omnivore

A consumer that eats both plants and animals

examples of herbivores

rabbit, deer, sheep, cow

examples of carnivores

tiger, lion, crocodile, wolf, polar bear

examples of omnivores

human, black bear, squirrel, pig

photosynthesis

process that plants (producers) use, sun convert water and carbon dioxide into oxygen and high-energy carbohydrates such as sugars and starches