Energy Flow in the Environment Sunlight is the main energy source for a life on earth Side note: In a few ecosystems, some organisms obtain energy from inorganic chemicals. Where can we find examples of these ecosystems? Ocean Vents with no sunlight

Two Different Types of Nutrition Autotroph (self nutrition) An organism capable of synthesizing its own food from inorganic substances, using light or chemical energy.

Autotrophs Organisms that make their own food Examples: Plants, Algae & some bacteria (Cyanobacteria aka: blue-green algae) They are also know as producers They begin all food chains and are essential for the flow of energy through the environment

Energy is used to Synthesize Molecules Photosynthesis- harnessing solar energy to produce food. Chemosynthesis- use chemical energy to produce food

Chemosynthesis Bacteria live in the mussel and make excess food, which the mussel uses for respiration.

Blue-Green Algae Return

Heterotroph Organism that rely on other organisms for their energy Also called consumers because they must “eat”

Types of Consumers Herbivores Obtain energy by eating only plants Also called Primary Consumers; they are the first to eat.

Carnivores Feed on other animals Scavenger – Feeds off pre-killed animals Predator- Hunts and kills prey

Carnivores cont. Parasite- Feed off of a living organism. (host) Omnivore- Eat both plant and animal

Decomposers Break down organic matter by recycling nutrients back to soil and air Bacteria, Fungus

Energy Flow Energy flows through the environment in one direction, through a series of steps. Sun autotrophs heterotrophs decomposers Arrows show direction of energy movement

Energy Flow-2 Energy flow can be represented in three different ways Food chains Food webs Ecological pyramids

Food Chain Shows the transfer of energy though an ecosystem Autotroph Producer Plant Clover Heterotroph Herbivore 10 Consumer Animal Deer Heterotroph Carnivore 20 Consumer Animal Wolf .

Food Chain Shark Squid Small fish Zooplankton Algae 100 cal./g 10 cal./g 1 cal./g 0.1 cal./g 1000 cal/unit Only about 10% of the energy is able to move. The rest is used for life and lost as heat to the environment

Food Web

Notice that the amount of matter decreases. As you move up 50 kg of human tissue 500 kg of chickens 5000 kg of Grain Food Pyramid Notice that the amount of matter decreases. As you move up