What Eats What Mrs. Dignan’ss Science Class

Take a minute to think about the last meal you ate. What kinds of organisms did you eat? Take a minute to think about the last meal you ate. What kinds of organisms did you eat? Plants? – fruits, veggies, chips, bread products Plants? – fruits, veggies, chips, bread products Animals? – meat and seafood Animals? – meat and seafood Fungi? – mushrooms, bread products, some sodas Fungi? – mushrooms, bread products, some sodas Bacteria? – yogurt, sauerkraut, miso, some cheeses Bacteria? – yogurt, sauerkraut, miso, some cheeses

Omnivores – Humans are omnivores, which means we eat both plants and animals (omni=every, vore=eat) Omnivores – Humans are omnivores, which means we eat both plants and animals (omni=every, vore=eat) Carnivores – Some organisms, such as cats and dogs, only eat other animals (carni=meat) Carnivores – Some organisms, such as cats and dogs, only eat other animals (carni=meat) Herbivores – Some organisms, such as deer and rabbits, only eat plants (herbi=plant) Herbivores – Some organisms, such as deer and rabbits, only eat plants (herbi=plant) Detritovores – Some organisms, such as worms and insects, only eat dead/decaying plants and animals (detritus=waste Detritovores – Some organisms, such as worms and insects, only eat dead/decaying plants and animals (detritus=waste

Trophic Level - a species’ position on the food chain. What it eats and what eats it. (troph=food). There are 2 major categories: Autotrophs produce their own food (auto=self) Autotrophs produce their own food (auto=self) Heterotrophs consume food from other organisms (hetero=different) Heterotrophs consume food from other organisms (hetero=different)

Trophic levels are further divided by the energy pyramid

Producers/Primary Producers – Organisms that produce their own food through photosynthesis (or chemosynthesis). Mostly plants and algae, some bacteria. Producers/Primary Producers – Organisms that produce their own food through photosynthesis (or chemosynthesis). Mostly plants and algae, some bacteria. Primary Consumers – Organisms that eat producers. Mostly herbivores and small omnivores (bugs). Primary Consumers – Organisms that eat producers. Mostly herbivores and small omnivores (bugs). Secondary Consumers – Organisms that eat primary consumers. Often small omnivores and carnivores (birds, rodents, reptiles). Secondary Consumers – Organisms that eat primary consumers. Often small omnivores and carnivores (birds, rodents, reptiles). Tertiary Consumers – Organisms that eat secondary consumers. Often larger carnivores (snakes, wild cats) Tertiary Consumers – Organisms that eat secondary consumers. Often larger carnivores (snakes, wild cats) Quaternary Consumers – Organisms that eat tertiary consumers. These don’t exist in many food webs because there aren’t enough tertiary consumers to eat. Quaternary Consumers – Organisms that eat tertiary consumers. These don’t exist in many food webs because there aren’t enough tertiary consumers to eat.

Examples of Energy Pyramids in Different Ecosystems

Examples of Different Energy Pyramids in Different Ecosystems

Trophic levels tell us about biomass and energy. Trophic levels tell us about biomass and energy. Biomass – the overall mass of a particular group of organisms. Depends on both size and population Biomass – the overall mass of a particular group of organisms. Depends on both size and population Energy – the amount of energy that can be obtained by eating a particular organism. Energy – the amount of energy that can be obtained by eating a particular organism. The lowest level of an ecosystem always contains the most biomass and chemical energy. The lowest level of an ecosystem always contains the most biomass and chemical energy. The highest level always has the least of both. The highest level always has the least of both.

Trophic Levels Why is this? Why is this? With the exception of deep sea vents, all energy on earth comes from sunlight. With the exception of deep sea vents, all energy on earth comes from sunlight. Producers contain the most energy and mass because they are only 1 step removed from the sun (photosynthesis). Producers contain the most energy and mass because they are only 1 step removed from the sun (photosynthesis). Every time a plant or animal gets eaten some of its chemical energy gets wasted by being converted to heat. Every time a plant or animal gets eaten some of its chemical energy gets wasted by being converted to heat.

Trophic Levels Every time a plant or animal gets eaten most of its chemical energy gets wasted by being converted to heat (about 90%). Every time a plant or animal gets eaten most of its chemical energy gets wasted by being converted to heat (about 90%). Typically only 10% of the organism’s energy makes it into the next organism. Typically only 10% of the organism’s energy makes it into the next organism.

For example, the average American ate about 2,000 lbs of food in If you were 200 lbs, that would be 10 times your body weight. For example, the average American ate about 2,000 lbs of food in If you were 200 lbs, that would be 10 times your body weight. Most of this is used for energy and heat, only some is stored as muscle and fat (chemical energy). Most of this is used for energy and heat, only some is stored as muscle and fat (chemical energy).