Ecology Lecture 1 - metabolic diversity

metabolic diversity

refers to the different metabolic strategies that organisms use that have enabled them to adapt and use all available energy from organic and inorganic matter

what came metabolic diversity vary according to?

sources of energy, sources of carbon

chemotrophs (energy)

energy from chemical bonds, there can be organic compounds such as carbohydrates or hydrocarbons or inorganic substances (ammonium)

phototrophs (energy)

get radiant energy from the sun (light energy)

autotrophs (Carbon)

inorganic co2 from the air

heterotrophs (carbon)

organic compounds such as sugars, fats, amino acids and protein

examples of photoautotrophs

plants, prokaryotes and prostist

where do photoautotrophs get the energy and carbon?

from the sunlight and atmospheric co2.

examples of photoheterotrophs

prokayotes only

where do photoheterotrophs get their energy and carbon?

energy from the sun, carbon from organic forms

examples of chemoautotrophs

prokaryotes only

where do chemoautotrophs get their energy and carbon

use the energy from chemical bonds (both organic and inorganic) and the carbon from co2 in the atmosphere

examples of chemoheterotrophs

all animals, fungi and some prokaryotes

where do chemoheterotrophs get their energy and their carbon

they get their energy from chemical bonds (both organic and inorganic compounds) they get their carbon in organic form (from other living things)