Heterotroph or Autotroph
Define a heterotroph.
Organisms that must consume their food.
Based on this food web, which organism(s) are autotrophs/ producers? Why?
Phytoplankton because they do not consume other organisms for food.
What is an biotic factor?
A living thing.
Give three examples of types of ecosystems.
Answers may vary.
What is the difference between herbivores, omnivores, carnivores?
What they eat.
Herb = plants
Carn = meat
omi = both
Define an autotroph.
Based on this food web, which organism(s) are heterotrophs/ consumers? Why?
Everything except phytoplankton because they must consume other organisms for food.
What is an abiotic factor?
A non-living thing.
What is a population?
A group of the same type of organism living in one area.
Where does the bottom of the food chain get its energy from?
Primarily from the sun
What are the alternate names for heterotrophs and autotrophs?
producers, consumers
Based on this food web, what are the possible sources of energy for phytoplankton?
- SUN
- inorganic chemicals
Give an example of a biotic factor and an abiotic facotr.
Answers may vary.
What is an ecosystem?
All the living and nonliving things that interact in an area.
What is photosynthesis?
The process of converting sunlight into energy.
What do the prefixes (auto-) and (hetero-) mean?
auto = self
hetero = other
Based on this food web, where do the cod in this foodweb receive their glucose from?
Scallop, Herring, Mackerel
Give an example of the way biotic and abiotic factors interact.
Answers may vary.
What is the difference between habitats and ecosystems?
Habitats are more specific than ecosystems. Many habitats make up an ecosystem.
Based on this food web, identify one secondary consumer.
Mackerel, herring, cod, dog fish, seal, tuna
Give an example of a heterotroph and an autotroph and explain how you know.
If the population of phytoplankton suddenly decreased drastically what is likely to happen to the other organisms in this food chain?
The populations of the other organisms would decrease as well.
Are abiotic factors a part of communities?
No. Communities only contain living things.
What is the difference between an ecosystem and a community?
An ecosystem contains living and non-living things, communities are only made up oof living organisms.
Why are autotrophs considered the foundation of the food chain?
Because they are what all other organisms (heterotrophs) must consume to survive.