3-2: Energy, producers, and consumers

Autotroph

An organism that can make its own food using energy from nonliving sources

What are autotrophs referee to as?

Primary producers because they form the base of all food webs

Photosynthesis

Uses light energy to convert carbon dioxide and water into carbohydrates and oxygen

Chemosynthesis

When certain bacteria uses chemical energy from inorganic compounds to make carbohydrates

Heterotroph

Must eat organisms for energy

Heterotrophs are referred to as

Consumers

Which way does energy flow

Energy flows in a one way direction

Why are primary producers essential

They are essential because the transform sunlight or chemical energy into food energy that all other organisms rely on