Energy, Producers, and Consumers

Front

Autotroph Noun

---

[aw-toh-trohf]

Back

Autotroph

---

An organism that can capture energy from nonliving sources and convert it into forms that living cells can use.

---

Example: This diagram shows a plant, an autotroph, using sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide to create its own food (glucose) through photosynthesis.

Front

Primary producer Noun

---

[pry-mair-ee pro-doo-ser]

Back

Primary producer

---

The first producers of energy-rich compounds that can be used later by other organisms; another term for an autotroph.

---

Example: This diagram shows photosynthesis, the process where primary producers like plants use sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide to create their own food (glucose).

Front

Photosynthesis Noun

---

[foh-toh-sin-thuh-sis]

Back

Photosynthesis

---

A process where autotrophs use light energy to convert carbon dioxide and water into oxygen and energy-rich carbohydrates.

---

Example: This diagram shows a plant (a producer) using energy from sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide to create its own food (glucose) and release oxygen.

Front

Chemosynthesis Noun

---

[kee-moh-sin-thuh-sis]

Back

Chemosynthesis

---

A process in which chemical energy stored in inorganic molecules is used by an organism to produce carbohydrates.

---

Example: Bacteria near deep-sea vents use chemicals like hydrogen sulfide, instead of sunlight, to create their own food energy (glucose) for survival.

Front

Heterotroph Noun

---

[het-er-oh-trohf]

Back

Heterotroph

---

An organism that must acquire energy from other organisms, typically by eating them for nourishment and sustenance.

---

Example: This food chain shows heterotrophs, like the grasshopper, frog, and snake, which get energy by eating other organisms, unlike the producer (grass).

Front

Consumer Noun

---

[kuhn-soo-mer]

Back

Consumer

---

An organism that relies on other organisms for its energy and nutrient needs; another term for a heterotroph.

---

Example: This diagram shows that consumers are organisms that get energy by eating other organisms, like the rabbit eating grass or the fox eating the rabbit.

Front

Herbivore Noun

---

[hur-buh-vor]

Back

Herbivore

---

A type of consumer that obtains energy and nutrients by eating plant parts such as leaves, roots, seeds, or fruits.

---

Example: This image shows several examples of animals, such as a cow and a zebra, to illustrate that herbivores are a category of animals that eat plants.

Front

Carnivore Noun

---

[kar-nuh-vor]

Back

Carnivore

---

A type of consumer that obtains energy and nutrients by killing and eating other animals for its survival.

---

Example: This image shows eight different animals, such as a lion and an eagle, that are all examples of carnivores, which are consumers that eat other animals.

Front

Omnivore Noun

---

[om-nuh-vor]

Back

Omnivore

---

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

---

Example: This Venn diagram shows that omnivores eat both meats (like carnivores) and plants (like herbivores), placing them in the overlapping section.

Front

Scavenger Noun

---

[skav-en-jer]

Back

Scavenger

---

A consumer that eats the carcasses of other animals that have already been killed or have died of other causes.

---

Example: A vulture, a type of scavenger, gets its energy by eating the remains of a dead animal, called a carcass.