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Inquiry Worksheet 6.1

The Inquiry Worksheet focuses on understanding energy flow in ecosystems through food chains and ecological diagrams. It includes activities for researching specific ecosystems, constructing food chain diagrams, and analyzing energy flow diagrams, emphasizing the roles of producers, consumers, and decomposers. The conclusion encourages reflection on the importance of this knowledge in addressing real-world environmental issues.

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25 views3 pages

Inquiry Worksheet 6.1

The Inquiry Worksheet focuses on understanding energy flow in ecosystems through food chains and ecological diagrams. It includes activities for researching specific ecosystems, constructing food chain diagrams, and analyzing energy flow diagrams, emphasizing the roles of producers, consumers, and decomposers. The conclusion encourages reflection on the importance of this knowledge in addressing real-world environmental issues.

Uploaded by

bkedisang08
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Inquiry Worksheet: Energy Flow in Ecosystems

Name: ______________________

Date: ______________________

Introduction

Understanding the flow of energy through food chains and ecological diagrams is crucial for
comprehending how ecosystems function. This worksheet will guide you through inquiry-based
activities that will help you explore these concepts.

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Section 1: Describe the Flow of Energy Through Food Chains (2.1.5)

Activity 1: Energy Flow in a Food Chain

1. Research: Choose a specific ecosystem (e.g., forest, ocean, desert). Identify at least three
producers, three primary consumers, and three secondary consumers present in that ecosystem.

2. Questions:

a. Describe how energy flows from producers to consumers in your chosen ecosystem.

b. What role do decomposers play in the energy flow?

3. Reflection: Write a short paragraph explaining why understanding energy flow is important for
maintaining healthy ecosystems.

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Section 2: Construct Ecological Graphs and Energy Flow Diagrams (2.1.6)


Activity 2: Constructing a Food Chain Diagram

1. Task: Create a food chain diagram using the organisms you identified in Activity 1. Use arrows to
indicate the direction of energy flow.

- Example: Grass → Grasshopper → Frog → Snake

2. Extension: Construct a food web that includes additional organisms from your ecosystem. Use
different colored arrows to indicate different types of energy flow (e.g., herbivores vs. carnivores).

3. Pyramid of Energy: Create an energy pyramid based on the food chain you constructed. Label
each trophic level and indicate the approximate energy available at each level (use the rule of 10%
for energy transfer).

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Section 3: Interpret Ecological Graphs and Energy Flow Diagrams (2.1.7)

Activity 3: Analyzing Energy Flow Diagrams

1. Task: Analyze the following hypothetical energy flow diagram (describe it in words, as you cannot
draw it here).

- Trophic Levels:

- Level 1: Producers (1000 kcal)

- Level 2: Primary Consumers (100 kcal)

- Level 3: Secondary Consumers (10 kcal)

- Level 4: Tertiary Consumers (1 kcal)

2. Questions:

a. What does the decrease in energy at each trophic level indicate about energy transfer?

b. How does this energy loss impact the number of organisms that can be supported at each
level?
3. Critical Thinking: Discuss how changes in one trophic level (e.g., a decline in primary
consumers) could affect other levels in the food chain. Provide specific examples.

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Conclusion

Reflect on what you have learned about energy flow in ecosystems. How does this knowledge apply
to real-world environmental issues? Write a brief summary of your thoughts.

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Submission

Please submit your completed worksheet by the end of the class. Be prepared to discuss your
findings with your peers.

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