lecture #2 Ecosystem dynamics

Question 1

what is recycled in most ecosystems

Answer 1

nutrients

Question 2

what is the main source of energy

Answer 2

light form the sun, flows through living organisms, then lost as heat

Question 3

what are the 3 types of organisms

Answer 3

1) Producers : photosynthic organisms (plants) - needed for life to exist
2) consumers : feed on producers and other consumers
3) decomposers ; heterotrophs that obtain their energy by breaking down dead organic matter (important for recycling nutrients)

Question 4

what do producers do?

Answer 4

convert (not produce) light into chemical energy from simple raw materials

• autotrophs: “self-feeding” organisms

Question 5

What is a heterotroph

Answer 5

Organism that eats other plants and organisms for energy

consummer

Question 6

What is a autotroph

Answer 6

Organism that can produce it’s own food