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Trophic Level

Definition

A trophic level refers to the position of an organism in a food chain or food web, indicating its feeding relationships and energy transfer from one level to another.

Analogy

Think of a trophic level like different floors in a building. Each floor represents a level in the food chain, with organisms on higher floors consuming those on lower floors, just like how people on upper floors receive energy indirectly from those on lower floors through elevators or stairs.

Related terms

Producer: Organisms at the first trophic level that convert sunlight into energy through photosynthesis.

Primary Consumer: Organisms at the second trophic level that directly consume producers for energy.

Secondary Consumer: Organisms at the third trophic level that feed on primary consumers for energy.

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AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.