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Difficulty: EasyEcology and Environment

In a meadow ecosystem, energy transfers through feeding levels. Arrange the following organisms in the correct sequence of energy flow, starting with the primary producer and ending with the tertiary consumer.

  1. 1Prairie grasses
  2. 2Grasshopper
  3. 3Meadow frog
  4. 4Red-tailed hawk

Answer

Prairie grasses → Grasshopper → Meadow frog → Red-tailed hawk
Energy flows in a linear, unidirectional path through this food chain: autotrophic primary producers (prairie grasses) are eaten by primary consumers (grasshoppers), which are consumed by secondary consumers (meadow frogs), which are ultimately hunted by tertiary consumers (red-tailed hawks).

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the autotrophic organism at the base of the food chain.
Prairie grasses capture energy from sunlight through photosynthesis to create organic matter.
Primary producers always form the first trophic level in a terrestrial grazing food chain.
2
Identify the primary consumer that eats the primary producer.
The grasshopper consumes the prairie grasses.
Primary consumers (herbivores) occupy the second trophic level by obtaining energy directly from plants.
3
Identify the secondary consumer that eats the herbivore.
The meadow frog preys on the grasshopper.
Secondary consumers occupy the third trophic level by consuming primary consumers.
4
Identify the tertiary consumer that feeds on the secondary consumer.
The red-tailed hawk preys on the meadow frog.
Tertiary consumers occupy the top trophic tier in this four-level energy chain.

Key Concept

Trophic Levels and Energy Flow in Ecosystems
Estimated Time:45s
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Topics

Ecology and Environment

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