AR Biology Notes: Ecology Introduction
Name_________________________________________
Energy Flow
Sunlight: _________________________________________________________________________
Autotrophs / PRODUCERS: ________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
Heterotrophs / CONSUMERS: ______________________________________________________
Herbivores: ________________________________________________________________
Carnivores: ________________________________________________________________
Omnivores: ________________________________________________________________
Detritivores: _______________________________________________________________
Decomposers: ______________________________________________________________
Food Webs and Chains
Energy flows through an ecosystem in one direction
Sun / inorganic compounds --> Autotrophs / Producers --> Heterotrophs / Consumers
Ex: Ocean Algae --> zooplankton --> small fish -->
squid -->
big fish / shark
Food Web: ______________________________________________________________________
Trophic Level: __________________________________________________________________
Autotrophs = _______________ Heterotrophs: _________________________________
Ecological Pyramids (Energy / Food)
ONLY 10% of the energy eaten is used in the next highest level in the food pyramid
AR Biology Notes: Ecology Introduction
Name_________________________________________
Energy Flow
Sunlight: Energy flow for life on earth (about 1% used for life)
Autotrophs / PRODUCERS: use sunlight or chemicals to produce food
plants, some algae, some bacteria (volcanic vents -- grab chemicals, no light)
Heterotrophs / CONSUMERS: get energy from eating other organisms
Herbivores: eat plants
Carnivores: eat meat
Omnivores: eat plants and meat
Detritivores: eat dead remains, snails, crabs
Decomposers: break food into chemicals -- bacteria and fungi
Food Webs and Chains
Energy flows through an ecosystem in one direction
Sun / inorganic compounds --> Autotrophs / Producers --> Heterotrophs / Consumers
Ex: Ocean Algae --> zooplankton --> small fish -->
squid -->
big fish / shark
Food Web: Network that links all food chains together
Trophic Level: Each step in a food chain
Autotrophs = 1st layer
Heterotrophs: Primary, Secondary, Tertiary consumer
Ecological Pyramids (Energy / Food)
ONLY 10% of the energy eaten is used in the next highest level in the food pyramid