ROLES OF ORGANISMS IN AN ECOSYSTEM Producers and Consumers: Decomposers, Carnivores and Herbivores Producers Consumers (Carnivores) (Herbivores) (Decomposers)

Producers  Producers: are organisms that are able to make their own food using abiotic elements in the environment  Some of the abiotic elements include the Sun’s light and heat, water and soil.  Plants interact with the Sun’s light and heat to support life on Earth.

Producers cont…  Plants are the only organisms that can use the Sun’s energy to produce food.  Plants make (produce) their own food through a process called photosynthesis.  Photosynthesis is a process by which plants use water, carbon dioxide, and sunlight to produce sugars (food).

Photosynthesis: Sun’s energy + Water + Carbon dioxide Food (Sugar) + Oxygen

Photosynthesis cont…  Since plants produce their own food through photosynthesis, they are know as producers.  Other living things interact with plants as food or to find or make shelter.

Consumers Herbivores Carnivores Omnivores Scavengers Decomposers Herbivores Carnivores Omnivores Scavengers Decomposers  an organism that eats other living things for energy  Animals cannot make their own food and therefore must obtain their energy by eating (consuming) other organisms.  There are five types of consumers. Any guesses?

Consumers cont…  Herbivores are organisms that only eat plants.  Carnivores are organisms that only eat other animals.  Omnivores are organisms that eat both plants and animals.  Scavengers are organisms that eat already dead animals.  A fifth and special type of consumer is the decomposer (and detrivore).

Decomposers  are organisms that consume and break down dead organisms or waste matter into simple substances  Decomposers (and detrivores) are known as nature’s “clean-up squad”.  Decomposers supply nutrients to plants and connect the biotic and abiotic elements of an ecosystem

Class work  Classwork:  1. Read/skim over section 5.1 “The Roles of Organisms in an Ecosystem”  2. Add examples for producers and consumers from the text (and your own ideas) to your handout.  3. Answer questions 1, 2, and 4 in “Check Your Learning” at the end of section 5.1. (Make sure your answers are written using complete sentences, start with part of the question and include science vocabulary/concepts.)