ProducerConsumer PredatorPrey ParasitismMutualism CommensalismFood Chains / Food Webs Set up page for notes

ECOLOGY A study of the interactions between organisms & their environment.

ENERGY FLOW AMONG ORGANISMS Everything you do requires energy. How do you get the energy that you need?

All living things get energy from their food to carry out life processes. Plants make their own food. Animals can NOT make their food. Animals get food from a different source.

Producers For example…Plants and Archaeabacteria Organisms that make their own food using solar or chemical energy through a process known as Photosynthesis or chemosynthesis

Consumers Organisms obtain energy by feeding on other organisms. You are a CONSUMER!

Predators A consumer that hunts or kills other consumers for food. Predators must have adaptations to catch their prey.

Prey A consumer that is hunted and eaten by a predator.

PREDATOR ADAPTATIONS Speed Camouflage Ability to find prey PREY ADAPTATIONS Speed Camouflage Creating poisons

SYMBIOSIS A close relationship between two species. Relationships: There are 3 types of symbiotic relationships

PARASITISM A symbiotic relationship in which one organism benefits while the other is harmed. The parasite is the organism that benefits. The host is the organism that is harmed.

MUTUALISM A symbiotic relationship in which both organisms benefit.

COMMENSALISM A symbiotic relationship in which one species benefits while the other is unaffected.

Food Chains Path of food energy from the sun to the producer to a series of consumers, in an ecosystem. Arrows indicate the direction of energy flow. Plants make food using energy from the sun. Some animals eat plants and some animals eat other animals.

Food Chain Example

Food Webs Most organisms are part of more than one food chain. Many animals eat more than one kind of food in order to meet their food and energy requirements. These interconnected food chains form a Food Web.

AFRICAN GRASSLAND FOOD WEB

Energy Pyramids A large amount of energy is lost at each level. The further up the food chain you go, the less energy available. Only 10% of energy is sent on to the next level. 100% energy 10% energy 1% energy Producer Primary Consumer Secondary Consumer