3.2 Bio Vocab

Autotrophs

They use energy from the environment to fuel the assembly of simple inorganic compounds into complex organic molecules. Make their own food

Producers

Capture energy from the sunlight or capture chemical energy

Photosynthesis

Use light energy to make their food

Chemosynthesis

Use chemical energy to make their food

Heterotrophs

Rely on other organisms for their energy and food supply

Consumer

These are heterotrophs

Herbivores

Obtain energy by eating only plants

Carnivores

Obtain energy by eating only animals

Omnivores

Obtain energy by eating both plant and animals

Detritivores

These feed on plant/ animal remains and other dead matter

Decomposers

Breaks down organic matter

Food chain

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

Food web

A network of complex feeding interactions

Trophic level

Each different step in a food chain or food web

Ecological pyramid

A diagram that shows the relative amount of energy or mattercontained within each trophic level in a food chain or food web.

Biomass

The totals amount of living tissue within a given trophic level.