THE FLOW OF ENERGY

UNIFYING THEMES IN LIFE

GROUP 2
LET’S WARM UP!

D
LET’S WARM UP!

F O O D
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I
LET’S WARM UP!

L I F E
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E Y
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E N E R G Y
 LET’S DEFINE!

Unifying Themes in Life - connects concepts

from many fields of Biology.
Flow - the moving along of matter from one
place to another, in a current or stream.
Energy - strength or power required for
sustained activities or functioning.
 LET’S DEFINE!

Life often revolves around the unifying

theme of energy flow. Understanding and
optimizing this flow can contribute to a more
harmonious and fulfilling existence.
WHY IS THE FLOW OF ENERGY IMPORTANT?

Living organisms need energy to sustain life and functions.

WHY IS THE FLOW OF ENERGY IMPORTANT?

Living organisms need energy to sustain life and functions.

Thus, the flow of energy is necessary in life.

 HOW DOES ENERGY FLOW?

Energy flow is the flow of energy through

living things within an ecosystem. It is a
recurring concept in life, whether it be in
relationships, ecosystems, or personal
development. In the complex fabric of reality,
energy transforms, maintains, and connects,
producing a dynamic balance.
 HOW DOES ENERGY FLOW?

All living organisms can be organized into

primary producers to various consumers,
and those producers and consumers can
further be organized into a food chain. Each
of the levels within the food chain is a
trophic level.
WHAT IS AN EXAMPLE
OF A FLOW OF ENERGY?
 FOOD CHAIN
A food chain is a series of steps in
which organisms transfer energy
by eating and being eaten. Food
chains vary in length and all living
organisms in an ecosystem can be
producers or consumers.
 FOOD CHAIN

Producers - provide energy to other

living organisms.

Consumers - consume energy provided

by other organisms.
 FOOD CHAIN
Producers (Autotrophs) - produces their own
food through photosynthesis.

Primary Consumers (Herbivores) - consumes

plants (the producers)

Secondary Consumers (Carnivores)

Tertiary Consumers (Carnivores)

TROPHIC PYRAMID OR
ENERGY PYRAMID
FOOD CHAIN WITH LEVELS
 FOOD CHAIN

Detritivores or Decomposers - organisms that

feed on dead organic materials (e.g. worms,
bacteria).
QUIZ TIME!
 1
A. FOOD CHAIN

B. FOOD WEB

C. ENERGY FLOW
 2
A. FOOD CHAIN

B. FOOD WEB

C. ENERGY FLOW
 3
A. FOOD CHAIN

B. FOOD WEB

C. ENERGY FLOW
 4
A. WORM

B. BACTERIA

C. BOTH A AND B
 5
A. HERBIVORES

B. CARNIVORES

C. AUTOTROPHS