ENERGY FLOW IN ECOSYSTEMS

3.2 Energy, Producers, & Consumers 3.3 Energy Flow in

Ecosystems

AUTOTROPHS AKA PRIMARY PRODUCERS

________________ make their own food Another name?________________ What process? _________________

Light energy powers chemical reactionsand converts CO2 to O2

What organisms? _______________________________________________________

WHAT IF THERE’S NO LIGHT? Some primary producers harness

chemical energy from inorganic molecules such as hydrogen sulfide. They use chemical energy to produce carbohydrates in a process known as _____________________________!

Where?_____________________________________

HETEROTROPHS AKA CONSUMERS

Obtain energy?________________________

Herbivore- _____________ Carnivore - _____________ Omnivore - ______________

WHO ARE THESE GUYS? Decomposers – chemically break down

organic matter to make detritus (small pieces of dead and decaying plant and animal remains. Ex________________________________

Detritivores – feed on detritus and commonly digest decomposers. EX____________________________________

Scavengers- consume carcasses of others. EX_____________________________________

FOOD CHAIN Steps in which organisms transfer

energy by eating and being eaten. Each step in the transfer of energy

through an ecosystem is called a trophic level.

AQUATIC FOOD CHAIN ______________________: Floating algae

and is a primary producer. __________________: small swimming

animalsEX: Krill

FOOD WEB

ECOLOGICAL PYRAMID Shows amount of energy at each

trophic level. 10% of energy is passed on.

Where does the rest go? Nomal activity/lost as heat

___________ is the amount of living tissue at each tropic level.