Flow of Energy (2.2) State Standard SB4B. Explain the flow of matter and energy through ecosystems by Arranging components of a food chain according to energy flow. Comparing the quantity of energy in the steps of an energy pyramid.

Autotrophs are AKA producers. Chapter 2 Principles of Ecology 2.2 Flow of Energy in an Ecosystem Energy in an Ecosystem Autotrophs Organisms that collect energy from sunlight or inorganic substances to produce food Autotrophs are AKA producers. Heterotrophs Organisms that get their energy requirements by consuming other organisms A lynx is a heterotroph. Heterotrophs are AKA consumers.

Photoautotrophs can synthesize food by using light energy. Chapter 2 Principles of Ecology 2.2 Flow of Energy in an Ecosystem Types of Autotrophs Photoautotrophs can synthesize food by using light energy. Chemoautotrophs can synthesize food by using inorganic chemical substances.

Organisms that only eat plants are called herbivores. Chapter 2 Principles of Ecology 2.2 Flow of Energy in an Ecosystem Types of Heterotrophs Organisms that only eat plants are called herbivores. Ex: cow, rabbit, grasshopper Carnivores prey on other heterotrophs. Ex: wolf, lion, lynx Organisms that eat both plants & animals are called omnivores. Ex: bear, human, mockingbird

Types of Heterotrophs Cont’d Chapter 2 Principles of Ecology 2.2 Flow of Energy in an Ecosystem Types of Heterotrophs Cont’d Detritivores eat fragments of dead matter in the ecosystem, ultimately returning nutrients to the soil, air, & water where they can be recycled. Ex: worms, millipedes, maggots, vultures Decomposers break down dead organisms by releasing digestive enzymes. Ex: bacteria, fungi

Types of Heterotrophs Cont’d Chapter 2 Principles of Ecology 2.2 Flow of Energy in an Ecosystem Types of Heterotrophs Cont’d Whenever a heterotroph consumes a producer, it is known as a primary consumer. A secondary consumer eats a primary consumer. A heterotroph is a called a tertiary consumer when it eats a secondary consumer.

Food chains and food webs model the energy flow through an ecosystem. Chapter 2 Principles of Ecology 2.2 Flow of Energy in an Ecosystem Models of Energy Flow Food chains and food webs model the energy flow through an ecosystem. Each step in a food chain or food web is called a trophic level.

Chapter 2 Principles of Ecology 2.2 Flow of Energy in an Ecosystem Models of Energy Flow Cont’d A food chain is a simple model that shows one path of energy flow in an ecosystem.

Models of Energy Flow Cont’d Chapter 2 Principles of Ecology 2.2 Flow of Energy in an Ecosystem Models of Energy Flow Cont’d A food web is a complex model representing the many interconnected food chains and pathways in which energy flows through a group of organisms.

Chapter 2 Principles of Ecology

Chapter 2 Principles of Ecology 2.2 Flow of Energy in an Ecosystem Ecological Pyramids Diagrams that can show the relative amounts of energy, biomass (amount of living matter), or numbers of organisms at each trophic level in an ecosystem