Feeding+relationships

__The Trophic Levels__

The term trophic can be defined as a feeding level. These feeding levels are related in a hierarchical manner with respect to the primary source of energy. Photosynthesizing organisms or producers are the first layer or trophic level as they support all life due to their ability to transform sun energy into matter or chemical energy. The following layers are primary consumers, secondary consumers, tertiary consumers, and so on depending on the number of layers the producers can support.

  Trophic Level- each category of feeding from the Greek trophos meaning “feeder”

Autotrophs- make their own food  Heterotrophs- cannot make their own food so they have to eat  Primary Consumer- herbivore which eat producers  Secondary Consumer- carnivore which eats herbivores  Tertiary Consumer- carnivore which eats other carnivores

Food chains, is the feeding of one organism upon another in a sequence of food transfer. In which, the arrows represent that is eaten by but also shows transfer of energy through the food chain

For Example, Owl → Shrews → Caterpillars → Oak Tree However, an organism may feed at more than one trophic level.