Chapter 4 Vocabulary

Organism that is able to capture energy from sunlight or chemicals and use it to produce its own food from inorganic compounds; also called a producer.

• Autotroph

• Heterotroph

• Primary Consumer

• Decomposer

First producer of energy-rich compounds that are later used by other.

• Heterotroph

• Primary Producer

• Primary Consumer

• Photosynthesis

Process used by plants and other autotrophs to capture light energy and use it to power chemical reactions that convert carbon dioxide and water into oxygen and energy-rich carbohydrates such as sugars and starches.

• Photosynthesis

• Biogeochemical cycle

• Heterotroph

• Nutrient

Process in which chemical energy is used to produce carbohydrates.

• primary producer

• photosynthesis

• autotroph

• chemosynthesis

Organism that obtains food by consuming other living things; also called consumers. 

• autotroph

• heterotroph

• primary producer

• photosynthesis

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

• producer

• decomposer

• consumer

• autotroph

Material made up of decaying bits of plant and animal material.

• detritus

• scavenger

• producer

• chemosynthesis

A series of steps in an ecosystem in which organisms transfer energy by eating and being eaten. 

• phytoplankton

• food web

• energy pyramid

• food chain

Photosynthetic algae found near the surface of the ocean.

• Fish

• Consumer

• Phytoplankton

• Heterotroph

Network of complex interactions formed by the feeding among various organisms in an ecosystem. 

• energy pyramid

• food web

• food chain

• biomass