Plant Science Lessons Unit 1, Lesson 2 Understanding the Plant Kingdom

Student Learning Objectives: As a result of this lesson, the student will … Objective #1:Distinguish between producers and consumers in energy production and understand the importance of each in the food chain. Objective #2:Describe how producers and consumers are related on the food chain. Objective #3: Determine the importance of agricultural plants in the food chain.

What is an autotroph? Autotrophs are organisms that utilize energy from the sun or energy stored in chemical compounds to manufacture their own nutrients. The most familiar autotrophs are plants; however there are other unicellular organisms that make their own nutrients. Most other organisms depend on autotrophs, at least partially, for their nutrients and energy. The origin of the word autotroph comes from the Greek words auto, meaning “self” and trophe, meaning “nourishment.”

Trivia for the day: what do deer, bison, owls and humans all have in common? They are all considered to be heterotrophs! This is also our second vocabulary word. The origin of the word comes from the Greek words hetero, meaning “other” and trophe meaning “nourishment.” This makes sense! Heterotrophs are incapable of making their own energy and depend on others to supply it. Heterotrophs obtain nutrients by eating other organisms.

Three types of autotrophs They are herbivores, omnivores, and Herbivores are grazing, seed-eating and algae-eating animals that depend only on plants for food. Heterotrophs that eat other heterotrophs such as lions are called carnivores Omnivorew which are heterotrophs that eat both plants and animals. You are a perfect example of an omnivore!

The Food Chain How do each of these organisms relate to each other in a food chain? Food chains are simple models that scientists use to show how matter and energy move through an ecosystem. Nutrients and energy proceed from autotrophs to heterotrophs and eventually to decomposers, who break down dead and decaying plants and animals into simpler molecules to be used by other organisms. What are the levels of a food chain? These levels are called trophic levels. You can think of them of steps on the food pyramid.

Energy Use in the Food Chain

So, how important is the Plant Kingdom? Is the plant kingdom really that important? Remember every other organism above it on the food chain thinks it is essential! Great job today!!