AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -The base of the pyramid is composed of species called autotrophs, the primary producers of the ecosystem.

Detailed explanation-2: -The bottom and largest level of the pyramid is the producers and contains the largest amount of energy. As you move up the pyramid, through the trophic levels to primary, secondary and tertiary consumers, the amount of energy decreases and the levels become smaller.

Detailed explanation-3: -At the bottom of the pyramid, you have producers. These are usually plants or other photosynthetic organisms, such as algae or photosynthetic bacteria. Producers are autotrophs, meaning they are self-feeding organisms that do so by making their own organic molecules.

Detailed explanation-4: -Producers are at the bottom of the pyramid because they are able to transform the sun’s energy into a large amount of plant energy through the process of photosynthesis. Producers are the base of energy for most food chains and food webs. Animals that eat plants make up the next level.

Detailed explanation-5: -The top layer of the energy pyramid contains apex predators. These are mostly carnivorous animals that have no natural predators. The pyramid shape is used to represent the flow of energy because of the way that energy is used up and lost throughout the system. The primary producers take in energy from the sun.