Eating for Energy Energy Pyramid

Eating for Energy Key Question: Where do organisms get their energy from? Initial Thoughts:

Evidence Definitions Inorganic – non-living; such as minerals Organic – Once living, containing carbon Trophic Level – where they are in the food chain: ie, grasses, plants are in the same trophic level

Definitions Predator – an animal that naturally preys on others. Prey - an animal that is hunted and killed by another for food.

Evidence 1: Draw this example of a food chain in your journals:

Evidence 2, Energy Pyramid: Producers 200 organisms 10,000kcal Primary Consumers 100 organisms 1,000kcal Secondary Consumers 60 organisms 100kcal Tertiary Consumers 15 organisms 10kcal %10 Rule: Consumers only get about 10% kcal of energy

10% RULE Don’t write down just listen.

Evidence 3: 1. Label each organism on your food web: (Some may have more than one label) P = producer, 1 = Primary Consumer, 2= Secondary Consumer, 3 = Tertiary Consumer

Evidence 3: Go back to your food web: Make a “t” chart and categorize all of the species on the web into “predator” or “prey” Predator Prey * Yes, an animal can be in both columns.

Evidence 4: Food Chain Game: http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/content/animals/kidscorner/games/foodchaingame.htm food web game: http://coolclassroom.org/cool_windows/home.html

Analysis Q’s Explain what you think is really happening in a food chain: (look back at your example, what is a food chain really telling you?) What is the difference between a food chain and a food web? What would happen if there were more secondary consumers than primary consumers? In your own words, explain what the %10 rule is. 2. What trophic level do humans occupy in the ecological pyramid.

Summary What did you think about energy in ecosystems before this lesson? What did you learn about energy in ecosystems from this lesson? (Minimum of 4 sentences!!!) What are some further thoughts or questions you have about energy in ecosystems ?

Reflection Thinking about your backyard, draw a food chain of at least five organisms and label them.

Big Idea All organisms receive their energy from the sun, either through direct sunlight or by eating other organisms.