Science: Pyramid of Energy
The Pyramid of Energy is a model that uses a pyramid shape to show that the energy available for consumers decreases as it travels through a typical food chain or web. Producers are at the bottom of the pyramid because they are able to transform the sun’s energy into a large amount of plant energy through the process of photosynthesis. Producers are the base of energy for most food chains and food webs. Animals that eat plants make up the next level. These animals are called primary consumers because they are the first level of consumers. Primary consumers rely on plants for their energy. This level of the pyramid is smaller than the producer level because most of the energy used at the producer level is used by producers for their life processes (respiration, photosynthesis, reproduction, etc.) and transformed to heat before they are consumed. Animals that eat primary consumers make up the next level. These animals are called secondary consumers because they are the second level of consumers. Secondary consumers rely on primary consumers for most of their energy. This level of the pyramid is smaller than the primary consumer level because most of the energy used at the primary consumer level is used for their life processes (respiration, digestion, reproduction, etc.) and transformed to heat before these animals are consumed. Animals that eat secondary consumers make up the next level. These animals are called tertiary consumers because they are the third level of consumers. Tertiary consumers rely on secondary consumers for most of their energy. This level of the pyramid is smaller than the secondary consumer level because most of the energy used at the secondary consumer level is used for their life processes and transformed to heat before these animals are consumed. It’s possible to have additional levels of consumers, but in most food chains energy runs out by the second or third level.
