3.2 Energy, Producers, & Consumers Ecology
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 Review the prefixes “bio” and “a.” Review “habitat” if needed. Examples of biotic factors: moose, shrubs, humans, dogs, flowers etc. Examples of abiotic factors: water, soil, rocks, air, etc.
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 Review the prefixes “bio” and “a.” Review “habitat” if needed. Examples of biotic factors: moose, shrubs, humans, dogs, flowers etc. Examples of abiotic factors: water, soil, rocks, air, etc.
WB CHECK: Most producers get their energy from Sunlight Chemicals Other organisms Plant material
WB CHECK: Which of the following is an autotroph? 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 Review the prefixes “bio” and “a.” Review “habitat” if needed. Examples of biotic factors: moose, shrubs, humans, dogs, flowers etc. Examples of abiotic factors: water, soil, rocks, air, etc.
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) Review the prefixes “bio” and “a.” Review “habitat” if needed. Examples of biotic factors: moose, shrubs, humans, dogs, flowers etc. Examples of abiotic factors: water, soil, rocks, air, 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) Review the prefixes “bio” and “a.” Review “habitat” if needed. Examples of biotic factors: moose, shrubs, humans, dogs, flowers etc. Examples of abiotic factors: water, soil, rocks, air, etc.
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) Review the prefixes “bio” and “a.” Review “habitat” if needed. Examples of biotic factors: moose, shrubs, humans, dogs, flowers etc. Examples of abiotic factors: water, soil, rocks, air, etc.
WB CHECK: Which category best fits humans? Autotrophs Carnivores Herbivores Omnivores
WB CHECK: Which of the following is a decomposer? vulture seaweed fungi moss
WB CHECK: True or False? Decomposers (like mushrooms) are heterotrophs.
WB CHECK: Bacteria fit in which category? autotroph heterotroph decomposer all of the above
POINT > Classify ecological consumers ** Many organisms don’t fit neatly ** into only one category Review the prefixes “bio” and “a.” Review “habitat” if needed. Examples of biotic factors: moose, shrubs, humans, dogs, flowers etc. Examples of abiotic factors: water, soil, rocks, air, etc.
Homework: Read 3.2 pages 69-72 Assess #1-3 page 72 Workbook Page 309 Pre-read pages 73-78