Feeding Relationships

Autotrophs / Producers Make organic (carbon containing) compounds from inorganic compounds “Fix carbon” Carbon dioxide and water > Glucose, Proteins, Fats Photoautotrophs – use light E Chemoautotrophs – use E derived from the breakdown of chemicals Ex. Plants, Plant-like protists (Algae)

Heterotrophs / Consumers Organisms that get their E by consuming other organisms or their products (nectar, fecal matter) CANNOT make their own organic molecules from inorganic molecules Ex. All animals, fungi, most bacteria, some protists, a handful plants

Types of Heterotrophs Herbivores Carnivores Decomposers Mycoheterotrophs

1. Herbivores/Primary Consumers Eat plant matter

2. Carnivores/Secondary Consumer Eat animals

Predators – eat live prey Scavengers – eat dead meat “big food” Specialties: Insectivores – eat just insects (anteater) Nectavores – eat nectar (Hummingbirds)

3. Omnivore Eat both plant and animal matter Ex. Bears, fox, raccoons, pigs, chimps

4. Decomposers Detritovore – eat detritus (decomposing plant and animal matter and feces) “Chunky” Ex’s millipedes, dung flies, slugs, insects

4. Decomposers Saprotrophs – Extracellular digestion of dead or decaying matter into its composite molecules (“ nutrient recyclers”) Proteins > Lipids > Starches > Ex. Fungi and Bacteria

5. Mycoheterotrophs (Saprophytes) Non photosynthetic plants that are parasites on fungus