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Food Chains and Energy Transfer - Understanding Autotrophs and Heterotrophs

Explore the concept of food chains and the transfer of energy in ecosystems. Learn about autotrophs (producers) and heterotrophs (consumers) and their roles in sustaining life. Discover the efficiency of energy transfer and the dynamics of ecological pyramids. Also, delve into the fascinating world of symbiosis and ecological succession.

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Food Chains and Energy Transfer - Understanding Autotrophs and Heterotrophs

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  1. Chapter 1, Section 2 Notes Food Chains, Food Webs, and the Transfer of Energy

  2. Autotrophs • A groups of organisms that can use the energy in sunlight to convert water and carbon dioxide into Glucose (food) • Autotrophs are also called Producers because they produce all of the food that heterotrophs use • Without autotrophs, there would be no life on this planet • Ex. Plants and Algae

  3. Autotrophs

  4. Autotrophs • Chemotrophs • Autotrophs that get their energy from inorganic substances, such as salt • Live deep down in the ocean where there is no sunlight • Ex. Bacteria and Deep Sea Worms

  5. Heterotrophs • Organisms that do not make their own food • Another term for Heterotroph is consumer because they consume other organisms in order to live • Ex. Rabbits, Deer, Mushrooms

  6. Heterotrophs

  7. Heterotrophs • Consumers • 1. Scavengers/Detritivores – feed on the tissue of dead organisms (both plants and animals) • Ex. – Vultures, Crows, and Shrimp

  8. Heterotrophs • Consumers • 2. Herbivores – eat ONLY plants • Ex. – Cows, Elephants, Giraffes

  9. Heterotrophs • Consumers • 3. Carnivores – eat ONLY meat • Ex. – Lions, Tigers, Sharks

  10. Heterotrophs • Consumers • 4. Omnivores – eat BOTH plants and animals • Ex. – Bears and Humans

  11. Heterotrophs • Consumers • 5. Decomposers – absorb any dead material and break it down into simple nutrients or fertilizers • Ex. – Bacteria and Mushrooms

  12. Transfer of Energy • When a zebra eats the grass, it does not obtain all of the energy the grass has (much of it is not eaten) • When a lion eats a zebra, it does not get all of the energy from the zebra (much of it is lost as heat)

  13. Transfer of Energy • The two (2) previous examples of energy transfer show that no organism EVER receives all of the energy from the organism they just ate • Only 10% of the energy from one trophic level is transferred to the next – this is called the 10% law

  14. Trophic Levels • Energy moves from one organisms to another when it is eaten • Each step in this transfer of energy is known as a trophic level • The main trophic levels are producers, consumers, and decomposers

  15. Food Chains • The energy flow from one trophic level to the other is know as a food chain • A food chain is simple and direct • It involves one organism at each trophic level • Primary Consumers – eat autotrophs (producers) • Secondary Consumers – eat the primary consumers • Tertiary Consumers – eat the secondary consumers • Decomposers – bacteria and fungi that break down dead organisms and recycle the material back into the environment

  16. Food Chain

  17. Food Web • Most organisms eat more than JUST one organism • When more organisms are involved it is known as a FOOD WEB • Food webs are more complex and involve lots of organisms

  18. Food Web

  19. Food Web • Notice that the direction the arrow points  the arrow points in the direction of the energy transfer, NOT “what ate what”

  20. Food Web

  21. Biomass • The total mass of the organic matter at each trophic level is called biomass • Biomass is just another term for potential energy – energy that is to be eaten and used. • The transfer of energy from one level to another is very inefficient (10% Law)

  22. Biomass

  23. Ecological Pyramid • An ecological pyramid shows the relationship between consumers and producers at different trophic levels in an ecosystem • Shows the relative amounts of energy or matter contained at each trophic level • The Pyramid shows which level has the most energy and the highest number of organisms

  24. Ecological Pyramid

  25. Ecological Pyramid

  26. Ecological Pyramid • Which level has the most energy? • Which level has the most organisms? • Which level has the least organisms? • Which level has the least energy?

  27. Symbiosis • A close and permanent association between organisms of different species • Commensalism – a relationship in which one organism benefits and the other is not affected • Example: Barnacles on a whale • Mutualism – a relationship in which both organisms benefit from each other • Example: Birds eating pest off a rhino’s back • Parasitism – A relationship in which one organism benefits and the other is harmed • Example: Ticks on a dog

  28. Ecological Succession • A change in the community in which new populations of organisms gradually replace existing ones • 1. Primary Succession – occurs in an area where there is no existing communities and for some reason (s) a new community of organisms move into the area

  29. Ecological Succession • A change in the community in which new populations of organisms gradually replace existing ones • 2. Secondary Succession – occurs in an area where an existing community is partially damaged

  30. Ecological Succession • A change in the community in which new populations of organisms gradually replace existing ones • 3. Climax Community – a community that is stable and has a great diversity of organisms

  31. Ecological Succession

  32. Unit 2, Part 2 Notes Food Chains, Food Webs, and the Transfer of Energy

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