Energy Flow in Ecosystems

Front

Ecosystem Noun

---

[ee-koh-sis-tuhm]

Back

Ecosystem

---

A community of living organisms interacting with the nonliving parts of their environment, where matter is cycled and energy flows.

---

Example: An aquatic ecosystem showing fish, plants, and water interacting, illustrating energy flow and matter cycling.

Front

Producer Noun

---

[pruh-doo-ser]

Back

Producer

---

An organism that can make its own food, typically using energy from sunlight through the process of photosynthesis.

---

Example: A plant uses sunlight to convert carbon dioxide and water into oxygen and sugar, illustrating photosynthesis.

Front

Consumer Noun

---

[kuhn-soo-mer]

Back

Consumer

---

An organism that obtains energy by feeding on other organisms in an ecosystem to survive and grow.

---

Example: An owl, snake, bird, and grasshopper show how consumers obtain energy by feeding on other organisms.

Front

Decomposer Noun

---

[dee-kuhm-poh-zer]

Back

Decomposer

---

An organism that breaks down biotic wastes and dead organisms, returning raw materials back into the ecosystem.

---

Example: A diagram showing labeled parts of a mushroom, illustrating its role as a decomposer.

Front

Photosynthesis Noun

---

[foh-toh-sin-thuh-sis]

Back

Photosynthesis

---

The process where producers use the sun's energy to convert water and carbon dioxide into food molecules.

---

Example: The image shows how plants use sunlight to turn water and carbon dioxide into glucose and oxygen.

Front

Herbivore Noun

---

[hur-buh-vor]

Back

Herbivore

---

A type of consumer that obtains its energy and nutrients by eating only plants and other photosynthetic organisms.

---

Example: This image shows herbivores like a panda and an elephant, which eat plants for energy.

Front

Carnivore Noun

---

[kahr-nuh-vor]

Back

Carnivore

---

A type of consumer that obtains its energy and nutrients by eating only other animals in its ecosystem.

---

Example: This image shows different carnivores, like lions and eagles, which eat other animals for energy.

Front

Omnivore Noun

---

[om-nuh-vor]

Back

Omnivore

---

A type of consumer that obtains its energy and nutrients by eating both plants and animals.

---

Example: A bear eating both meat and plants shows it is an omnivore, consuming both types of food.

Front

Scavenger Noun

---

[skav-uhn-jer]

Back

Scavenger

---

A type of carnivore that obtains its energy and nutrients by feeding on the bodies of dead organisms.

---

Example: A vulture feeding on a carcass shows how scavengers obtain energy from dead organisms.

Front

Food Chain Noun

---

[food cheyn]

Back

Food Chain

---

A model showing a series of events in which one organism eats another to obtain energy and nutrients.

---

Example: The image shows a food chain with arrows indicating energy flow from the sun to a producer (grass) and through consumers (grasshopper, bird, fox).