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.
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.