Section 3 Energy in Ecosystems

Principles of Ecology Study Guide B Answer Key SECTION 3. ENERGY IN ECOSYSTEMS 1. Producers, nonliving, autotrophs 2. Consumers, eating, heterotrophs 3. Producers provide the basis for an ecosystem’s energy. 4. Most producers need sunlight to make food, and consumers are dependent on producers to provide the base of the food chain in an ecosystem. Consumers are therefore indirectly dependent on the sun for their energy as well. 5. Photosynthesis: process in which carbohydrates are formed, energy is obtained from sunlight; Chemosynthesis: process in which carbohydrates are formed, energy is obtained from chemicals; Both: process in which carbohydrates are formed 6. An autotroph makes its own food (nourishment), while a heterotroph must get nourishment from other resources 7. in photosynthesis, energy is obtained from sunlight, in chemosynthesis, energy is obtained from chemicals 8. a producer gets its energy from nonliving resources while a consumer gets its energy by eating other living or onceliving organisms Principles of Ecology Study Guide B Name ______________________________ Class ___________________ Date __________________ Section 3: Energy in Ecosystems Study Guide B KEY CONCEPT Life in an ecosystem requires a source of energy. VOCABULARY producer heterotroph autotroph chemosynthesis consumer MAIN IDEA: Producers provide energy for other organisms in an ecosystem. Complete the following sentences with the correct term. autotrophs eating nonliving consumers heterotrophs producers 1. _____________________ are organisms that get their energy from _____________________ resources, meaning they make their own food. These organisms are also called _____________________. 2. _____________________ are organisms that get their energy by _____________________ other organisms. These organisms are also called _____________________. 3. Why are producers so important to an ecosystem? _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ 4. Why is the Sun important to both producers and consumers? _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ 1 Study Guide B Principles of Ecology Section 3: Energy in Ecosystems Name ______________________________ Class ___________________ Date __________________ Study Guide B continued MAIN IDEA: Almost all producers obtain energy from sunlight. 5. Complete the following Y-diagram to outline the similarities and differences between photosynthesis and chemosynthesis. Photosynthesis __________________ __________________ Chemosynthesis __________________ __________________ Both _________________________________________ _________________________________________ _________________________________________ Vocabulary Check 6. Word Part Meaning auto- self hetero- other -troph nourishment Use the above word origins to explain the difference between an autotroph and a heterotroph. _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ 7. The prefix photo- means “light” while the prefix chemo- means “chemical.” How do these word origins relate to the difference between photosynthesis and chemosynthesis? _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ 8. What is the difference between a consumer and a producer? _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ 2 Study Guide B Principles of Ecology Section 3: Energy in Ecosystems