SYMBIOSIS & FOOD CHAINS Unit 5 - Ecology
Introduction Relationships exist in order for one or both organisms to get food (energy). Sunlight is the main source of energy on Earth.
Section 1 Food Chains/Food Webs
Feeding Style Producers Produce their own food; get energy from sunlight Consumers acquire energy from other organisms. AutotrophsHeterotrophs
Types of Consumers Herbivores eat plants (cows) Carnivores eat animals (snakes) Omnivores eat plants & animals (humans) Detritivores eat plant/animal remains & other dead matter. (vultures, earthworms, maggots…) Decomposer feed on decaying/dead matter; return organic compunds back to soil. (fungus & bacteria)
DetritivoreOmnivore CarnivoreHerbivoreDecomposer
Food Chains/Webs Energy (food) is passed from organism to organism through food chains and food webs. Food Chain a series of steps in which organism transfer energy by eating & being eaten. Food Web links all the food chains in a ecosystem together.
Trophic Levels Trophic Level – each step in a food chain or food web. 1 st trophic level is always a producer (autotroph) Plants, algae, plankton 2 nd trophic levels and up are consumers. (heterotroph)
Trophic Levels A primary consumer is the first consumer of a food chain (consumes the producer) second trophic level (the producer is always the first) A secondary consumer is the second consumer of a food chain (consumes the primary consumer) third trophic level. A tertiary consumer is the third consumer of a food chain (consumes the secondary consumer) Fourth trophic level.
Section 2 Relationships
I.) Symbiosis 2 or more species live together in a close, long-term association. II.) Predation one organism feeds on another; one benefits and one is hurt (may or may not be kill)
Symbiosis Mutualism: both organisms benefit Ex. Shark & remora/ herd animals & birds/goby fish & shrimp +, +
Symbiosis Commensalism: one organism benefits and the other is neither harmed nor helped. Ex. Sea anemone & tropical fish +,O
Symbiosis Parasitism: one organism feeds on & usually lives on or in another organism. Ex. Ticks, mosquitoes, tapeworm, heartworm, +, -
Predation II.) Predation: one organism feeds on another; one benefits and one is hurt (may or may not be kill) Ex. Snakes – predator / mice prey