Science

Topic:

• The goal of this assignment is to relate the concepts of trophic levels with energy and biomass pyramids to your own life.Compile a list of every food item you consume in one day- breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks and beverages. After creating the list of food consumed, label each item as either from a producer, a primary consumer (e. g. cow), or secondary or higher consumer (e. g. fish).If the food item contains both producers and consumers, note both and guess approximately how much of each is consumed. Also label each item describing the trophic level (1, 2, 3, 4).Include your labeled list in your paper. Look at your results and discuss the following issues:

Based upon frequency how often does your diet come from producers and how often from consumers? Trophic levels also correspond to energy levels in an ecosystem.Answer both of the following questions. When considering energy issues in a biomass pyramid of an ecosystem, if you ate more producers, would this increase or decrease the percentage of the biomass pyramid necessary to support your survival? Discuss why. Also, if you ate more food from consumers, would this increase or decrease the percentage of the biomass pyramid necessary to support your survival? Explain why.

Guidelines:

• This paper does not have a minimum length but future ones may. If this requirement pertains it will be included in the assignment for that paper.
• Times New Roman font
• 10-point font size
• Double-spaced lines
• Standard style formatting of your choice (MLA, APA, Chicago, etc.)
• Include all references used (these can be your text, other books, online sources, etc.)
• Word document format: MS Word 2003(.doc), MS Word 2007(.docx) or rich text format (.rtf)
• Each paper should be completed and submitted to the appropriate folder in the Dropbox.

Grading Criteria:

Papers will be assessed according to the basis of completeness, correct spelling, neatness and following guidelines. (Please see Rubrics area of course for further details.)