Chapter 3.2 - Energy, Producers, and Consumers

1. What do autotrophs do during photosynthesis? 

This organism produces "food" as well as store energy in forms that make it available to other organisms that eat them. 

     2.  Can some organisms survive without energy from the sun? Explain your answer.

Yes, some organisms can survive without energy from the sun. Researchers reveled that these organisms depend on primary producers that harness chemicals energy from inorganic molecules (hydrogen sulfide). They carry out a process called chemosynthesis (chemical energy is used to produced carbohydrates).

     3. Can organisms create their own energy? Explain your answer. 

Organisms need energy for growth, reproduction, and their own metabolic. Yet, no organism can create energy -- organisms can only use energy from the plants and animals me and you eat.

     4. Complete the table about types of heterotrophs.

Types of Heterotrophs
Type	Definition	Examples
Herbivore	Obtain energy+nutrients by eating plant leaves, roots, seeds, or fruit	cows, rabbits
Carnivores	Heterotroph that eats animals	Snakes, lion, cheetah
Omnivore	Animals whose diets naturally include a variety of different foods that usually include both plants & animals	humans, bears, pigs
Detritivore	Commonly digest decomposers that live on, and in, detritus particles	Snails, Shrimps, & giant earthworms
Decomposer	Organism that breaks down and obtains energy from dead organic matter	Bacteria & Fungi
Scavengers	Heterotroph that consumes the carcasses of dead animals but does not typically kill them itself	King Vulture

   5. What is a consumer?

Organisms that relies on other organism for its energy and food supply; also called a heterotroph.

   6. How would you categorize a consumer that usually catches and eats prey, but also eats  dead animal carcasses?

 A consumer who eats both live prey and dead animal carcasses is a carnivore and a scavenger.

Apply the BIG idea

 7. What role do producers play in establishing Earth as a living planet?

Producers play an important role in establishing Earth as a living planet. Their role is to produce energy. They're the first producers of energy-rich compounds that are later used by other organisms. They're essential to the flow of energy through the biosphere. Producers can do this with energy from the sun (photosynthesis) or without light (chemosynthesis).

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