It looks like you've uploaded a document titled
"Ecological Pyramids" that includes a model called
"Model 1 – Pyramid of Energy", which illustrates how energy flows through an ecosystem. The image contains a diagram and several questions related to the energy transfer in a food chain.
Since I can't view images directly, I’ll help you solve the problem based on the typical structure of such ecological pyramid models and the text you've provided. Here's how we can interpret and solve it step by step:
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Model 1 – Pyramid of Energy
Typical structure of an energy pyramid:
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Producers (e.g., oak trees): Capture solar energy via photosynthesis.
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Primary consumers (e.g., caterpillars): Eat producers.
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Secondary consumers (e.g., robins): Eat primary consumers.
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Tertiary consumers (e.g., hawks): Eat secondary consumers.
Energy is lost at each level due to metabolic processes (respiration, heat, waste), typically about
90% is lost, so only
~10% is transferred to the next trophic level.
Let’s assume the values from your diagram are as follows (common in textbook examples):
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Sun → Oak Tree: 25,000 kcal/m²/year
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Oak Tree → Caterpillar: 2,500 kcal/m²/year
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Caterpillar → Robin: 250 kcal/m²/year
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Robin → Hawk: 25 kcal/m²/year
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Questions & Answers
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1. Label the pyramid shown in Model 1 with the following: primary producers, primary consumers, secondary consumers, tertiary consumers.
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Primary producers: Oak tree
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Primary consumers: Caterpillar
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Secondary consumers: Robin
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Tertiary consumers: Hawk
> *Label accordingly on the pyramid.*
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2. What percentage of the energy from the sun is absorbed by the oak tree?
The oak tree absorbs
10% of the solar energy.
>
Calculation:
> \( \frac{2,500}{25,000} = 0.10 = 10\% \)
✔ Answer: 10%
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3. What percentage of the energy from the oak tree is passed to the caterpillar?
Energy from oak tree: 2,500 kcal
Energy passed to caterpillar: 250 kcal
> \( \frac{250}{2,500} = 0.10 = 10\% \)
✔ Answer: 10%
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4. What percentage of the energy from the caterpillar is passed to the robin?
Energy from caterpillar: 250 kcal
Energy passed to robin: 25 kcal
> \( \frac{25}{250} = 0.10 = 10\% \)
✔ Answer: 10%
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5. How much energy per year does the caterpillar get from eating the leaves of the oak tree?
From the pyramid:
2,500 kcal/m²/year
✔ Answer: 2,500 kcal/m²/year
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6. What percentage of the energy that was originally absorbed by the oak leaves is passed to the hawk?
Original energy absorbed by oak leaves: 2,500 kcal
Energy reaching hawk: 25 kcal
> \( \frac{25}{2,500} = 0.01 = 1\% \)
✔ Answer: 1%
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✔ Summary of Key Concepts:
- Only about
10% of energy is transferred between trophic levels (10% Rule).
- Energy decreases at each level due to loss as heat, respiration, and incomplete consumption.
- This limits the number of trophic levels in an ecosystem (usually 3–5).
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If your actual diagram has different numbers, please provide them, and I can adjust the calculations accordingly!
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of ecological pyramid worksheet answers.
