Question

1. in a prairie ecosystem, which of the following populations has the most stored energy for use by other organisms?

a) hawks
b) bison
c) prairie dogs
d) prairie grass

1. which food chain correctly shows the direction that energy and matter can flow through a temperate forest ecosystem?

a) fruit -> insect -> sparrow -> hawk
b) hawk -> fruit -> insect -> sparrow
c) insect -> sparrow -> hawk -> fruit
d) insect -> hawk -> fruit -> sparrow

Explanation:

1. In an ecosystem, producers (like prairie grass) convert sunlight into chemical energy through photosynthesis. This is the base of the energy pyramid. Consumers (hawks, bison, prairie dogs) get energy by eating other organisms. Since energy decreases at each trophic level, producers have the most stored energy for other organisms.
2. A food chain starts with a producer (fruit). Then comes primary consumers (insects that eat fruit), followed by secondary consumers (sparrows that eat insects), and finally tertiary consumers (hawks that eat sparrows). The direction of energy and matter flow is from producer to primary consumer to secondary consumer to tertiary consumer.

Answer:

1. D) prairie grass
2. A) fruit → insect → sparrow → hawk