Ecology Obtaining Energy

Autotrophs = also called Producers I. Two main classifications of organisms based upon their method of obtaining energy Autotrophs = also called Producers Ex. plants Heterotrophs = also called Consumers Animals

Can make their own “food” or carbohydrates II. Autotrophs Can make their own “food” or carbohydrates Two ways autotrophs make their own source of energy: 1. Photosynthesis = use energy from the environment (sunlight) to assemble simple molecules (CO2 and H20) into carbohydrates (C6H12O6 or glucose) a. done by plants in the chloroplast

Chemosynthesis = use the bonds (energy from breaking the bonds) of inorganic molecules (sulfates or ammonia) to assemble CO2 and H2O into carbohydrates a. Conducted by chemosynthetic bacteria b. Occurs at hydrothermal vents in the ocean

III. Heterotrophs Can not make their own “food” (source of energy) Must rely on other organisms for their “food” or energy Five different classifications: 1. Herbivores = adapted to eat plant matter *examples = cows, horses, deer, elephants, grasshoppers, (humans), etc.

Carnivores = animals that eat meat (may be from live animals or dead animals) *examples = cats, dogs, some mustelids (badgers and wolverines), polar bears, birds of prey (hawks, eagles, or falcons), some waterfowl (penguins or pelicans), anurans (frogs and toads), snakes, crocodiles, sharks, spiders, etc.

3. Scavenger= carnivores that consume organisms that are already dead -useful to the ecosystem *examples = vultures, burying beetles (carrion beetles), blowflies, raccoons, and possibly hyenas and lions

Scavengers

4. Omnivores = organisms that consume both plants and animals *examples = pigs, bears, primates (humans), domestic dogs and cats, mice, squirrels, opossums, foxes, most gulls, chickens and crows

Decomposers = break down organic material a. ecologically important b. accelerates the process of decomposition *examples = fungi and bacteria