1. Producer, Consumer, Decomposer? You decide…
Cats
Grass
Cows
Butterflies
Algae
Mushrooms
Flowers
Birds
Fish
Mould
Worms
Houseplants
Cactus
Fungi
Humans
Trees
Bacteria

2. Learning objectives: All of you should be able to:
Describe the role of producers, consumers and decomposers
Identify the word equations for photosynthesis and respiration
Most of you should be able to:
Describe photosynthesis and respiration in terms of inputs, outputs, processes and transformations.
Explain the role of producers, consumers and decomposers

3. In pairs: come up with a definition for the following terms and write them down
Producers (autotrophs)
Consumers (heterotrophs)
Decomposers
Organisms that convert sunlight energy into chemical energy. Manufacture their own food from inorganic substances.
Obtain their energy by eating other organisms. Feed on autotrophs or other heterotrophs.
Obtain their food and nutrients from the breakdown of dead organic matter (DOM).

4. Their role in the ecosystem…
Producers?
Consumers?
Decomposers?

5. Their role in the ecosystem…
Producers?
The basis of ecosystems supporting them through constant input of energy and new biomass.
It is this biomass that provides the total theoretical energy available to all non photosynthesizing organisms in the ecosystem.

6. Their role in the ecosystem…
Cannot make their own food.
Herbivores feed on autotrophs and carnivores on other heterotrophs.
By eating other organisms they gain both food as energy supply and nutrient molecules from within the biomass ingested.
Convert organic compounds into inorganic.
Consumers?

7. Their role in the ecosystem…
Decomposers?
Waste managers of any ecosystem
When they break down tissue, they release nutrients ready for reabsorption.
They improve nutrient retention capacity in the soil.
Can you remember the two types of decomposers and what they do?

8. Two processes control the flow of energy through ecosystems…
What are they?
Photosynthesis
Respiration

9. Photosynthesis Label the diagram: Carbon Dioxide Glucose Oxygen Water
Chloroplast

10. Photosynthesis Summarise photosynthesis in terms of the following:
What are the…
Inputs
Outputs
Processes
Transformations

11. Inputs

12. Outputs

13. Processes Chlorophyll traps sunlight
The energy is used to split water molecules
Hydrogen from water is combined with carbon dioxide to produce glucose

14. Transformations Light Energy Chemical Energy
Can you write the word equation for photosynthesis?
carbon dioxide + water glucose + oxygen
Light energy
Chlorophyll
6CO2 + 6H2O C6H12O O2
Light energy
Chlorophyll

15. Photosynthesis Inputs of Water, Carbon Dioxide and Sunlight
Light energy is trapped by the chlorophyll inside the chloroplasts
Energy is released by splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen
Oxygen is released to the atmosphere
The hydrogen combines with carbon dioxide to make glucose.

16. Respiration Label the diagram: Glucose Oxygen Carbon Dioxide Energy 4.1. 2. 3.

17. Respiration Summarise respiration in terms of the following: Inputs
Outputs
Processes
Transformations

18. Inputs
Oxygen from the atmosphere
Glucose

19. Outputs
Heat energy out
Carbon Dioxide and water

20. Processes
Oxidation processes inside cells.

21. Respiration Stored chemical energy kinetic energy and heat
Can you write the word equation for respiration?
oxygen + glucose energy + water + carbon dioxide
6O2 + C6H12O energy + 6H2O + 6CO2

22. Activity
In pairs:
Create a poster about the two metabolic processes, respiration and photosynthesis.
It needs to include the following aspects:
Information about the inputs, outputs, processes and transformations
A diagram summarising these different aspects
The word equations