IB Biology SL C4.2.10 Trophic Levels Questions

Trace food-chain and food-web feeding paths to identify trophic levels, then explain why omnivores, detritivores and parasites may span more than one level in IB Biology SL C4.2.10.

Exam points

Deduce an organism’s trophic level from a food chain or food web by tracing feeding relationships from producers through primary, secondary, tertiary and higher consumers.
Recognize omnivores, detritivores, parasites and other organisms with multiple prey or hosts as occupying more than one trophic level, and explain why classification can be ambiguous.

[Maximum number: 2]

The Chinese pangolin (Manis pentadactyla) is a critically endangered species that has declined in numbers by 80 % since 2000. It inhabits both forest and grassland, where it uses long, powerful claws to open ant and termite nests and ingests the insects using a long, sticky tongue.

Figure for Question IB Biology SL C4.2.10 Trophic Levels Questions question 1 — IB Biology SL

Explain what information is needed to find the trophic level of pangolins.

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a	what (prey) it eats / feeds on / stomach content;
b	the trophic level of what (prey) it eats / feeds on / the trophic level of ants / termites;
c	trophic level is the position an organism occupies in the food chain/web;

IB Biology SL C4.2.10 Trophic Levels Questions question 1