FOOD CHAINS Unit 4: Energy

Energy is a substance like quantity which can store and transfer energy. Energy is measured in Joules. Energy

Where is Energy located? Different plants and animals live in different environments. The class learned about the transfer of energy from corn, mice, snakes, and finally eagles through an environment. The greatest quantity of energy in an environment is consumed and maintained by plants and small animals. As the consumers in the environment become more complex, their overall number and ability to acquire energy decreases. Location

Lab Results Reviewing the data from the lab, the class noticed some interesting relations between the data and the number of plants and animals that were able to be supported in an environment as measured by the total number of energy units. We call an integrated system a plants and animals a food chain.

Autotrophs The largest amount of energy is maintained by autotrophs that are the Primary Consumers. Primary Consumers make their energy by converting the sun’s energy into a usable form by creating glucose. Plants make up the Primary Consumer level of the food chain. Primary Consumers

Heterotrophs Secondary Consumers are the next level of the food chain. These are heterotrophs, animals which eat other plants or animals in order to acquire energy. Examples of animals that are secondary consumers include mice, birds, rabbits, goats, deer, and raccoons. Organisms in this group are comprised of herbivores, omnivores, and carnivores. Secondary Consumers

The Final Level The final level on the food chain is the Tertiary Consumer level. This level is made up of organisms that consume energy from Secondary Consumer. Examples of these animals will include eagles, bears, coyotes, lions and tigers. These are animals feed off of other animals in the environment and are fewest in total overall numbers. Tertiary Level