IGCSE›Cambridge IGCSE Biology›Mind mapsEnergy FlowCambridge IGCSE Biology: Mind mapStudy pack PDFAlso for this subtopic:Revision notesFlashcardsSubtopic testCover factsEnergy sourceSun is the main energy inputProducers capture light energyConverted to chemical energy in organic moleculesPassed along the food chainEnergy lossHeat lost through respirationLost in waste (faeces, urine)Used in movement and life processesTransfer between levels is inefficientEnergy flowthrough ecosystemsPyramid of energyEnergy at each trophic levelOver a fixed time periodAlways pyramid-shapedMost reliable pyramidConsequencesFewer than five trophic levelsToo little energy left for another levelEating plants directly is more efficientLivestock waste energy from cropsExam tipsExplain short chains by energy loss at each stageNot just 'not enough food'