IGCSE Biology glossary
Trophic level
Biology editorial review is supported by the named review panel. Reviewer participation may vary by guide. Checked against Cambridge IGCSE Biology 0610 (2026–2028); last reviewed August 2026.
Definition
The position of an organism in a food chain, food web or pyramid. Producer, primary consumer, secondary consumer, and so on.
What to include in an exam answer
Energy-loss explanations between trophic levels are the dependable 4-6 mark question here: respiration, heat, movement, excretion, and parts not eaten or not digested. Name at least three distinct losses for full marks.
Example in context
Explaining a pyramid: 'Only about 10% of energy passes from one trophic level to the next, the rest being lost through respiration, movement and heat.'
Related syllabus topic
Organisms & their environment