3.2- Energy, Producers, and Consumers Flashcards
what are autotrophs?
organisms (algae, bacteria, plants) that can capture energy from sunlight or chemicals and convert it into forms that living cells can use
How do autotrophs use solar or chemical evergy to produce ‘food’?
by assembling inorganic compounds into complex organic molecules
In addition to converting solar and chemical energy,
what other important job do autotrophs do?
store energy in forms that make it avaliable to other organisms that eat them
What are primary producers
the 1st producers of energy-rich compounds that are later used by other organisms
aka autotrophs
what are primary producers essential for?
the flow of energy through the biosphere
What is photosynthesis
a process that captures light energy and uses it to power chemical reactions that convert carbon dioxide and water in to oxygen and energy-rich carbohydrates (sugars and starches)
most common
How does photosynthesis effect the atmosphere?
adds oxygen to the atmosphere and removes carbon dioxide
What are the most common primary producers?
- Plants on land
- Algae in freshwater and upper layer of ocean
- Cynobacteria in tidal flats and salt marshes
What is chemosynthesis?
process which chemical energy is used to produce carbohydrates
Example of where chemosynthesis found:
the ecosystem around volcanic vents in the deep ocean floor, primary producers harness chemical energy from inorganic molecules, like hydrogen sulfide
What are heterotrophs?
organisims (animals, fungi, bacteria) that cannot directly harness energy from the environment, so most acquire energy from other organisms by ingesting them
what are consumers?
organisms that rely on other organisms for enegy and nutrients
aka heterotrophs
What is cellular respiration?
process used to convert food into energy
How are consumers classified?
by the ways in which they acquire energy
What are the 6 types of consumers?
carnivores, herbivores, omnivores, scavengers, decomposers, detritivores
Carnivores:
kill and eat other animals; catching and killing prey is difficult but meat is rich in nutrients and energy and easy to digest
Herbivores:
eat only plants, leaves, roots, seeds, fruits
Omnivores:
diets natrally include both plants and animals
local ex: prarie grizzley
scavengers:
consume the carcasses of dead animals
local example: turkey vulture
Decomposers:
mushroom, fungi; chemically break down organic matter, process produces detritus
Detritivores:
mites, snails, shrimp, earthworms, crabs; feed (chew/grind) detritus particles (small pieces of dead and decaying plant/animal remains) also digest decomposers
Many consumers get energy:
mulitple differnet ways
Ex: hyenas are carnivores but also will scavenge for food
What is energy?
the ability to do work
What is work?
work= force x distance
