Nutrition and Energy Spring 2018 Ecology Ecology study

Nutrition and Energy Spring 2018

Ecology § Ecology – study of the interactions among organisms and between organisms and their environment. § Ecologists study the flow of energy through communities to discover nutritional relationships between organisms. is the for life on Earth

Ecology Autotrophs – organisms that use sunlight or energy stored in chemical compounds to make food § because they make their own food – called producers.

Types of Autotrophs Photosynthesis § Process used by autotrophs to make food energy from the sun. § Examples: § Plants § Algae § Cyanobacteria Chemosynthesis § Autotrophs that capture chemical energy since they live in places without sunlight. § Bacteria found in volcanic vents, hot springs, tidal marshes

Decomposers § Break down organic matter § Examples: § Bacteria § Fungi

Heterotrophs § Organisms that rely on other organisms for their energy and food supply. § They are also called consumers.

Types of Heterotrophs § Heterotroph § Herbivore § Description § Eats only plants § Examples Cows § Caterpillars § Deer § § Heterotroph § Carnivore § Description § Eats only animals § Examples Snakes § Owls § Sharks §

Types of Herbivores § Heterotroph § Omnivore § Description § Eats both plants and animals § Examples Humans § Bears § Crows § § Heterotroph § Detritivore § Description § Eats plants and animal remains § Examples Worms § Crabs § Mites §