Energy Efficiency

Losses in the owl is from respiration, producing energy for flight, digestion, movement, the nervous system. 

All organisms finally die and are broken down by micro-organisms living on the dead and decaying remains of other micro-organisms. 

100Kj of grass energy represents grass eaten by the herbivore. 

Mouse have to walk around and find their food and carry out the process of respiration. 

90Kj of energy left is lost from respiration and undigested food.

Energy and substances in food chains

Bush grass is eaten by impala. 

Bush grass is the producer Impala is the primary consumer leopard is the secondary

consumer.

Producer turns light energy into chemical energy - takes the form of organic molecules including carbohydrates, proteins and lipids --> what we call food.

These molecules are composed of C-H bonds, C-O bonds, C-C bonds, O-H bonds and C-N bonds - ALL represent energy. 

Food Webs

• Food webs allow better description of the ecosystem.
• Food web allows us to show organisms feeding at different trophic levels. 
• Results in food chains becoming linked.
• Organisms may be feeding on multiple prey.
• Organisms can have multiple predators.

Food Chain

Trophic Level

4.3 Quadrats samples

4.2 Quadrats

Ecosystem