Warmup QuestionsWhat does an energy pyramid represent? Why is it the pyramid shape?

Where does the energy of a food chain come from? What happens to energy as it gets passed down a food chain? ?

Prickly Pear CactusProducer

WoodratFirst-level Consumer

WeaselSecond-level Consumer

BobcatThird-level Consumer

Energy PyramidsAn energy pyramid is

a diagram that shows how much energy is at each step of the food chain.

A 3d food chain. Shows how many

organisms at each step of food chain

Where are there more organisms?Why?

Model Energy pyramidWe will make an energy pyramid as a class. Each row is another level of the pyramid.

Producers. I have 8 producers. Each one of you

makes food holding 2 Units of energy. Where do you get the energy to make the

food?What chemical do you make that stores

the energy?What will the producers do with

that energy?Use it to grow,Use it to live. It will burn off in these processes

1st level or Primary ConsumersEach primary consumer also

needs 2 units of energy to survive.

How much energy does our ecosystem have left?8 units/ Half of the original 16.

How many 1st level consumers can our ecosystem hold?4 Half the energy half the organisms.

Why is there less energy?

2nd level consumersEach primary consumer also needs 2

units of energy to survive.

How much energy does our ecosystem have left?4units/ Half of the original 8

How many 2nd level consumers can our ecosystem hold?2 Half the energy half the organisms.

Why is there less energy? Where did it go?

3rd level Each 3rd level consumer also

needs 2 units of energy to survive.

How much energy does our ecosystem have left?2 units/ Half of the previous 4.

How many 3rd level consumers can our ecosystem hold?1 Half the energy half the

organisms. Why is there less energy?

What is happening to energy?

How big can the pyramid get?Why is the third level consumer usually the top of

the food chain?

Do you think its common to have 4th level consumers?

Why is it unlikely to have 4th level consumers?

Why is it even more unlikely to have a 5th and 6th level?

Summary Questions

1. What does an energy pyramid represent? Why is it the pyramid shape?

2. Where does the energy of a food chain come from?3. What happens to energy as it gets passed down a

food chain?4. Why can there only be around 4 levels in an energy

pyramid?5. What is one organism that’s important to a food

chain that’s not shown on an energy pyramid?

Answer on a sheet of paper.

SummaryDraw an energy Pyramid

First make a food chain.

Turn your food chain into an energy pyramid. Show how many organisms would be at each level. Explain what is happening to the energy at each

level. Show how nutrients can go from the third level

consumers back to the producers.

Summary Questions

ActivityEnergy PyramidsProducerI am a ___Algae_______ I am the___Producer____ My energy role is a_______Producer_______ . I get my energy from the___SUN__________ I use energy to_function_________ I use nutrients for___Building Cells________ I get eaten by the___Plankton_________ I give it ___Energy_______ and __Nutrients____

ConsumerI am a _____1_______ I am the____First level___2__________ My energy role is a__Consumer/Herbivore____________ . I get my  energy from the_____________ I use energy to____________ I use nutrients for___________ I get  eaten by the____________ I give it __________ and ______________

SummarizingWrite “The Story of Energy”

You are energy what is your life like in the food chain?