Download Ecology - Communities

3.2 Energy, Producers, & Consumers
POINT > Define and describe ecological
producers
POINT > Define ecological consumers
POINT > Classify ecological consumers
POINT > Define and describe ecological
producers
Producers are organisms that create
energy-rich compounds (sugars) used
later by other organisms
Also called autotrophs
Includes plants, algae, some bacteria
POINT > Define and describe ecological producers
Producers capture energy from:
1. Light (Photosynthesis)
Most producers use this process
2. Chemicals (Chemosynthesis)
Common in areas of total darkness,
often near volcanic vents, or animal
stomachs
WB CHECK:
Most producers get their energy from
a)
b)
c)
d)
Sunlight
Chemicals
Other organisms
Plant material
WB CHECK:
Which of the following is an autotroph?
a)
b)
c)
d)
Mushroom
Pine tree
Raccoon
Mosquito
POINT > Define and classify ecological consumers
Consumers are organisms that rely on other
organisms for energy and nutrients (animals,
fungi, most bacteria)
Consumers are also called heterotrophs
POINT > Classify
ecological consumers
Consumers/heterotrophs
are classified by the ways they get energy
1. Herbivores eat plant material (deer, cows, rabbits)
2. Carnivores eat other animals (snakes, cats, etc)
POINT > Classify
ecological consumers
3. Omnivores eat both plant and animal material
(humans, bears)
4. Decomposers chemically break down
organic matter from dead organisms
(mushrooms, other fungi, some bacteria)
POINT > Classify
ecological consumers
5. Scavengers eat the dead flesh of other
animals (vultures, crabs, etc)
6. Detritivores eat decaying material produced
by decomposers (earthworms, crabs)
WB CHECK:
Which category best fits humans?
a)
b)
c)
d)
Autotrophs
Carnivores
Herbivores
Omnivores
WB CHECK:
Which of the following is a decomposer?
a)
b)
c)
d)
vulture
seaweed
fungi
moss
WB CHECK:
True or False?
Decomposers (like mushrooms) are
heterotrophs.
WB CHECK:
Bacteria fit in which category?
a)
b)
c)
d)
autotroph
heterotroph
decomposer
all of the above
POINT > Classify ecological consumers
** Many organisms don’t fit neatly **
into only one category
Read 3.2 pages 69-72
Assess #1-3 page 72
Workbook Page 344
Pre-read pages 73-78