Food Chains

The Source of ALL Energy All organisms need energy. The main source of energy on Earth is sunlight.

Producers Organisms that make their own food are called producers. Plants are producers. Algae and bacteria are producers too. Producers use energy from sunlight to make their own food. When they make their food, energy from the sun is stored in their bodies.

Producers

Consumers Organisms that get energy by eating other organisms are called consumers. Animals are consumers. Animals are classified in 3 groups: Herbivores Carnivores Omnivores

Consumers

Herbivores Organisms that eat only plants and plant products. They get energy by eating roots, stems, leaves, flowers, fruits, and plant sap. Elephants, some insects, gorillas, deer, cows, rabbits, grasshoppers, and snails.

Carnivores Organisms that eat other animals. Carnivores get energy by eating the bodies of other organisms. Carnivores have adaptations that make them good hunters. Strong legs, sharp claws and teeth, good eyes and ears. Ladybugs, spiders, lions, sharks, hawks, hyenas, killer whales, owls, wolves, and praying manitises.

Omnivores Organisms that eat both plants and animals. Bears, cockroaches, crows, raccoons, coyotes, and humans.

Decomposers Decomposers are organisms that eat (get their energy from) dead plants and dead animals. Decomposers break down dead materials. They help ecosystems by returning nutrients back to the soil for plants to use.

Food Chains All food chains start with the sun. The sun gives energy to plants (producers). Plants give energy to herbivores (consumer). Herbivores give energy to carnivores (consumer). The path of energy from one organism to another is called a food chain.

In a food chain, the arrow points to who is getting the energy. In this food chain, the grass is getting energy from the sun. The grasshopper is getting energy from the grass. The snake is getting energy from the grasshopper. The hawk is getting energy from the snake.

Questions

What is an adaptation of a herbivore?

Flat teeth to grind plants.

What is an adaptation of a carnivore?

Sharp teeth and claws to catch and kill prey

What is a decomposer?

Decomposers are organisms that eat (get their energy from) dead plants and dead animals

What provides energy in a food chain?

The sun

Does a producer or consumer make its own food?

Producer

Where does the arrow point in a food chain?

To who is getting the energy