Energy is neither created nor destroyed, only transformed.

Every energy transformation increases entropy (disorder).

Only about 10% of energy is transferred from one trophic level to the next.

Energy flows from the sun to producers, then to consumers, with energy lost as heat at each level.

Energy changes form, often into less usable forms like heat, but is never lost.

Photosynthesis converts solar energy into chemical energy, introducing energy into the food chain.

Cellular respiration converts glucose into usable chemical energy (ATP) and releases thermal energy.

The entropy of trophic levels is high due to low energy transfer rates.

Top predators need large territories to find enough food due to the 10% rule.

It limits the number of trophic levels and the biomass at higher levels.

The ultimate source of energy for almost all ecosystems.

Organisms that convert solar energy into chemical energy (glucose) through photosynthesis.

Organisms that eat producers.

Organisms that eat herbivores or other carnivores.

Organisms that break down dead organisms, recycling nutrients.

The form of energy that moves through the trophic pyramid.

The process that converts glucose into usable chemical energy (ATP) and releases thermal energy.

A measure of disorder in a system; it increases every time energy is transformed.

Energy is neither created nor destroyed, only transformed.

Every time energy is transformed, entropy (disorder) increases.

Only about 10% of energy from one trophic level moves up to the next.

Each step in a food chain or food web.

Producers capture solar energy, consumers eat producers, energy is transferred up trophic levels, energy is lost as heat at each step.

Plants use sunlight, water, and CO2 to produce glucose and oxygen.

Organisms break down glucose to release energy (ATP), producing CO2 and water.