Autotrophs: organism that is able to capture energy from sunlight or chemicals and use it to produce its
own food from inorganic compounds; also called a primary producer because they store energy in forms
that make it available to other organisms.
Most primary producers harness solar energy through the process of photosynthesis.
Photosynthesis: process used by plants and other autotrophs to capture light energy and use it to power
chemical reactions that convert carbon dioxide and water into oxygen and energy-rich carbohydrates
such as sugars and starches.
E? How do consumers obtain energy and nutrients?
Organisms that rely on other organisms for energy and nutrients are called consumers (A.K.A.
heterotrophs).
Heterotrophs: organisms that obtain food by eating other organism, also called a consumer.
Consumers: another name for heterotrophs, they rely on other organism for their energy and food
supply.
Autotrophs = Primary Producers
Heterotrophs =Consumers
SWMS Science Department 2014-
2015
FCAT 2.0 Benchmark Review – Big Idea 17 - Interdependence Page 3
Types of Consumers
Carnivore: consumers that kill and eat other animals.
Herbivore: consumers that only eat plants (leaves, seeds, roots, fruit, etc.).
Omnivore: consumers that eat both plants and animals.
Scavenger: consumers that feast on the dead carcasses of animals that have been killed by predators or
have dies of other causes.
Detritivores*: feed on detritus particles often chewing or grinding them into even finer particles, they
also commonly digest decomposers that live on, and in, detritus particles.
Decomposer: “feed” by chemically breaking down organic matter.
*Detrius Particles: small pieces of dead and decaying plant and animal remains.
E? How is an ecosystem organized?
The smallest level of organization in an ecosystem is a single organism, which belongs to a population
that includes other members of its species. The population belongs to a community of different species.
The community and abiotic factors together form an ecosystem.
Species: a group of similar organisms that can mate with each other and produce offspring that can also
mate and reproduce
Population: all the members of one species living in the same area
Community: all the different populations that live together in a particular area
Ecosystem: the community of organisms that live in a particular area, along with their nonliving
environment
Explanation:
