Ecology 11A Notes 9.19.11
Food Chain
-shows the movementof energy within an ecosystem
-energy decreases as you move through the food chain
-starts with the sun
-combining of all food chains make a food web
-both show how all organisms depend on eachother to survive
Producer
obtains energy from the sun to make its own food in a process called photosynthesis
Autotroph
makes its own food using photosynthesis
-shows the movementof energy within an ecosystem
-energy decreases as you move through the food chain
-starts with the sun
-combining of all food chains make a food web
-both show how all organisms depend on eachother to survive
Producer
obtains energy from the sun to make its own food in a process called photosynthesis
Autotroph
makes its own food using photosynthesis
Consumer
eats something to obtain energy
Heterotroph
cannot make its own food. Eats animals to obtain energy
eats something to obtain energy
Heterotroph
cannot make its own food. Eats animals to obtain energy
Herbivore
eats ONLY plants to obtain energy
eats ONLY plants to obtain energy
Carnivore
ONLY eats animals to obtain energy
ONLY eats animals to obtain energy
Omnivore
eats BOTH plants and animals to obtain energy
eats BOTH plants and animals to obtain energy
Decomposer
breaks down dead plants and animals
breaks down dead plants and animals
Autotrophs: Auto=self
Heterotrophs: Hetero=other
Energy Pyramid
-places organisms into trophic levels
-producers
-primary consumers
-secondary consumers
-tertiary consumers
-Tertiary has the least LEASt amount of energy
-Producer has the MOST amount of energy
Pretador- carnivorous animal that hunts, kills, then eats animals
Prey- animal that is hunted
Relationships in an Ecosystem
Symbiosis- interaction between two organisms where at least ONE organism benefits
++ Mutualism- benefits both organisms. EX: crocodile and the plober bird
+- Parasitism- benefits one organism while the host organism is harmed
+0 Commensalism- one organism benefits while the other is NOT harmed
Producer/Consumer- producer takes in sunlight and uses it for energy
Heterotrophs: Hetero=other
Energy Pyramid
-places organisms into trophic levels
-producers
-primary consumers
-secondary consumers
-tertiary consumers
-Tertiary has the least LEASt amount of energy
-Producer has the MOST amount of energy
Pretador- carnivorous animal that hunts, kills, then eats animals
Prey- animal that is hunted
Relationships in an Ecosystem
Symbiosis- interaction between two organisms where at least ONE organism benefits
++ Mutualism- benefits both organisms. EX: crocodile and the plober bird
+- Parasitism- benefits one organism while the host organism is harmed
+0 Commensalism- one organism benefits while the other is NOT harmed
Producer/Consumer- producer takes in sunlight and uses it for energy