Lesson 6.3:Ecosystems

*Refer to Chapter 16 in your Textbook

Learning Goals: 1. I can differentiate between an autotroph and

heterotroph.2. I can label organisms in a food web as primary

producers and 1st, 2nd, and 3rd level consumers. 3. I can describe the energy flow through an

ecosystem.

Energy Table: Type of

OrganismEnergy Source

Example

Autotroph/Producer

Photosynthesis Phytoplankton

Autotroph/Producer

Chemosynthesis

Mussel in a hydrothermal

ventHeterotroph/

ConsumerCellular

Respiration Great White Shark

Autotrophs: Autotrophs are organisms capable of producing their own food, also known as producersThey can accomplish this two ways:1. Photosynthesis: Carbon dioxide + water + sunlight = oxygen + sugar

2. Chemosynthesis:Carbon dioxide + water + hydrogen sulfide =

oxygen + sugar + sulfur

Photosynthesis

Chemosynthesis

Autotrophs: The primary producers of the ocean are phytoplankton “plant plankton” (92% of all producers in the ocean)

Heterotrophs:Heterotrophs are organisms that must consume their energy, also known as a consumer All heterotrophs accomplish this one way:1. Cellular Respiration:

Converts food and oxygen into energy Oxygen + sugar = carbon dioxide + water +

energy (the opposite of photosynthesis)

Types of Consumers:1. Herbivore: eats plants (ex. Manatee)

2. Carnivore: eats meat (ex. Great White Shark)

3. Omnivore: eats plants & meat (ex. Sea Turtle)

4. Decomposer: break down dead/decaying material and release energy back into the ecosystem (ex. Marine Bacteria)

5. Detritivore (or Scavenger): feed on broken down dead/decaying material to consume energy for themselves (ex. Sea Star)

Food Chains:A food chain is a series of steps in which organisms transfer energy by eating and being eaten.

*An example from the Everglades is shown.

Food Webs:A food web is a network of feeding interactions through a series of connected food chains

Ecological Pyramids:Ecological Pyramids show the amount of energy contained within each trophic level within a food chain or web• Primary producers will always make up the 1st level• Various consumers will make up the next levels