1.The ultimate source of energy for life is the SUN 2.Plants use the sun’s energy to manufacture food in a process known as PHOTOSYNTHESIS

1.An organism that can make its own food is called an AUTOTROPH 2.Autotrophs are also called PRODUCERS because they provide the entire food chain with energy 3.Plants and algae are the most common type of autotroph and they make their own food using photosynthesis

1.An organism that cannot make its own food is called a HETEROTROPH 2.Heterotrophs obtain energy by eating other organisms a)Heterotrophs are also known as CONSUMERS because they get energy from other organisms.

1.An HERBIVORE is a heterotroph that feeds only on PLANTS a)E.g. cows horses, zebras, squirrels

1.A CARNIVORE is a heterotroph that feeds only on other heterotrophs (meat, insects, etc) a)E.g. Lions, sharks, wolves

1.An OMNIVORE is a heterotroph that feeds on BOTH plants and animals a)E.g. Humans, bears, raccoons, skunks

1.A SCAVENGER is a heterotroph that does not kill for food but eats already dead animals a)E.g. Vultures, insects, crabs

1.DECOMPOSERS break down and release nutrients from dead organisms (recycle) a)E.g. Bacteria, fungus

1.A FOOD CHAIN is a simple model that shows how matter and energy moves through an ecosystem 2.producers  consumers  decomposers a)Arrows on a food chain show the direction ENERGY is moving

1.Each step in a food chain is called a TROPHIC LEVEL 2.Trophic levels include: a)Producers – autotrophs that produce their own food b)Primary Consumers – heterotrophs that eat autotrophs c)Secondary Consumers – heterotrophs that eat primary consumers d)Tertiary Consumers – heterotrophs that eat secondary consumers

1.Most of the time food chains are too simple and don’t show all of the feeding relationships in an ecosystem 2.A FOOD WEB is a complex model of interconnected food chains that shows all of the feeding relationships in an ecosystem

1.As energy moves up the food chain, 90% of it is lost as HEAT 2.Only 10% of energy moves up to the next level a)The 90% that is lost is used up by the organism for metabolism and movement; only 10% is stored in its tissues

1.Matter and nutrients must be recycled in all ecosystems; matter is not unlimited like energy from the sun 2.Nutrient cycles: a)Water Cycle b)Carbon Cycle c)Nitrogen Cycle

1.All life depends on water. Water moves around the Earth in a cycle 2.EVAPORATION: liquid water changes into water vapor (liquid  gas) 3.CONDENSATION: water vapor changes to liquid water (gas  liquid) 4.PRECIPITATION: water falls from the atmosphere back to Earth (rain, snow, etc.) 5.RUNOFF: gravity causes all water to eventually flow back to oceans or lakes 6.TRANSPIRATION: plants lose water vapor through their leaves 7.Animals breathe out water vapor in every breath and also return water through urine and sweat

1.All life is based on the Carbon molecules a)Carbon atoms form the backbone for proteins, carbohydrates, fats, and other important life molecules 2.Autotrophs convert CARBON DIOXIDE (CO 2 ) and water into sugars through the process of photosynthesis 3.Plants and animals break down the sugars and release CO 2 back into the atmosphere

1.A large amount of CO 2 dissolves in and out of the oceans 2.Decomposers return the carbon of dead plants and animals back to the atmosphere 3.When plants and animals die and are quickly buried, over millions of years, the carbon in their bodies can be converted into FOSSIL FUELS 4.When fossil fuels are burned CO 2 is released back into the atmosphere

1.78% of the air is Nitrogen (N 2 ) 2.Plants cannot use nitrogen in this form 3.Bacteria in the roots of plants can “fix” atmospheric nitrogen by turning it into a usable form for plants 4.Animals get nitrogen by eating plants 5.Animals return nitrogen to the soil through urination and death/decay 6.Man-made fertilizers also give nitrogen to plants