Producers, Consumer, & Decomposers April 21-22, 2009

Producers Without a constant input of energy, living systems cannot function. Sunlight is the main source of energy for life on Earth. Only plants, some algae, and certain bacteria can capture energy from sunlight and use that energy to produce food. These organisms are called producers.

Producers Producers are organisms that make their own food (energy) using the energy from the sun. They are also called Autotrophs. (Auto = self, troph = feeder)

Photosynthesis Photosynthesis is when a plant uses energy from the sun, plus carbon dioxide and water, to create sugar (the energy for life). Chemical Equation for Photosynthesis 6CO2 + 6H2O + = C6H12O6 + 6O2 Light Energy (sugar) Reactants Products

Photosynthesis

Video – Photosynthesis

Reflection What is a producer? What are the reactants of photosynthesis? What are the products? What element does each letter in the photosynthesis formula stand for?

Consumers Many organisms, such as animals, fungi, insects, and most bacteria, cannot capture the energy from the sun and use it to make food like producers do. The only way these organisms can acquire energy is from other organisms.

Consumers Consumers are organisms that get their energy by eating other living things. They are also called Heterotrophs (Hetero = other, trophs = feeder).

5 Types of Consumers 1. Herbivores Organisms that eat only plants

5 Types of Consumers 2. Carnivores Organisms that only eat other animals

5 Types of Consumers 3. Omnivores Organisms that eat both plants and animals

5 Types of Consumers 4. Detritivores Consumers that get their food (energy) by breaking down animal remains and other dead matter.

5 Types of Consumers 5. Decomposers Consumers that get their food (energy) by breaking down organic matter.

Video – Decomposers

Reflection What is the difference between a producer and a consumer? What are the five different types of consumers? What’s the difference between an herbivore and a carnivore?