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.