1. Matter Cycles, Energy Flows

2. Producers/Autotrophs
Sunlight is the main energy source for life
Photosynthesis is the conversion of inorganic molecules to sugars by photoautotrophes

3. Photosynthesis inorganic matter radiant energy
organic (C) matter (chemical energy)
extra atoms + +

4. [ Chemoautotrophes
Some autotrophes rely on energy stored in chemical bonds of inorganic compounds (H2S) found at hydrothermal vents ]

5. Consumers /Heterotrophs
Rely on other organisms for food (nutrients, fuel)
Primary consumers are herbivores (plant eaters)
producer primary
consumer
energy & matter transferred

6. Respiration

7. Secondary Consumers Carnivores that eat herbivores
producer primary secondary
consumer consumer
energy & matter transferred
energy & matter transferred

8. Tertiary consumers
Carnivores or omnivores that eat carnivores/omnivores
aka top consumers
Producers etc
energy & matter transferred

9. Detritivores
consumers that derive energy from organic waste and dead organisms
Bacteria, insects ,fungi
aka decomposers

10. Food Web contains many food chains
Arrows indicate energy transfer

11. Pyramid Power Shape reflects trophic (feeding) levels
Greek: trophos = nutrition

12. Pyramid shape reflects energy use & transfer
Only 10% is transferred on average
Most energy is transformed (lost) into heat

13. Pyramid shape reflects number of organisms
Many producers needed to support a smaller number of consumers

14. Pyramid shape reflects relative biomass
Large base supports smaller (less productive) trophic levels

16. Biomagnification/Bioaccumulation
Chemicals ingested that cannot be broken down or easily excreted
These accumulate in tissues
The more one eats, the more toxin that accumulates

17. Organisms higher in the web have more opportunities to ingest the toxin, increasing concentration in their tissues
10,000x
1,000x
100x
10x 1x
It’s exponential

18. Greatest quantity of toxin per individual is in those top consumers
13.8ppm
2.07ppm
0.23ppm
0.04ppm
Greatest quantity of toxin per individual is in those top consumers
The pyramid is inverted

19. Mercury concentrates in fish
Brain damage, death
Limit your tuna intake:
Albacore 1x/2weeks
Chunk light 1x/5 days
Source: EPA/FDA
For a 100# person

20. DDT
Weakens bird egg shells

21. PCB’s from electrical, plastics industries
Linked to cancer
Also immune, reproductive, neurologic, endocrine
disorders