roles of organisms in an ecosystem producers and consumers: decomposers, carnivores and herbivores...
TRANSCRIPT
ROLES OF ORGANISMS IN AN ECOSYSTEM
Producers and Consumers: Decomposers, Carnivores and Herbivores
Producers Consumers(Carnivores)
(Herbivores)
(Decomposers)
Producers Producers: are organisms that are
able to make their own food using abiotic elements in the environment
Some of the abiotic elements include the Sun’s light and heat, water and soil.
Plants interact with the Sun’s light and heat to support life on Earth.
Producers cont… Plants are the only organisms
that can use the Sun’s energy to produce food.
Plants make (produce) their own food through a process called photosynthesis.
Photosynthesis is a process by which plants use water, carbon dioxide, and sunlight to produce sugars (food).
Photosynthesis:
Sun’s energy + Water + Carbon dioxide
Food (Sugar) + Oxygen
Photosynthesis cont… Since plants produce their
own foodthrough photosynthesis, they are know as producers. Other living things interact with
plants as food or to find or make shelter.
Consumers
• Herbivores• Carnivores• Omnivores• Scavengers• Decomposers
an organism that eats other living things for energy
Animals cannot make their own food and therefore must obtain their energy by eating (consuming) other organisms.
There are five types of consumers.
Any guesses?
Consumers cont… Herbivores are organisms that
only eat plants. Carnivores are organisms that
only eat other animals. Omnivores are organisms that
eat both plants and animals. Scavengers are organisms that
eat already dead animals. A fifth and special type of
consumer is the decomposer (and detrivore).
Decomposers are organisms that consume and
break down dead organisms or waste matter into simple substances
Decomposers (and detrivores) are known as nature’s “clean-up squad”.
Decomposers supply nutrients to plants and connect the biotic and abiotic elements of an ecosystem
Class work
Classwork: 1. Read/skim over section 5.1 “The Roles of
Organisms in an Ecosystem” 2. Add examples for producers and consumers from
the text (and your own ideas) to your handout. 3. Answer questions 1, 2, and 4 in “Check Your
Learning” at the end of section 5.1.(Make sure your answers are written using complete sentences, start with part of the
question and include science vocabulary/concepts.)