Producer, Consumer, Decomposer? You decide…

Producer, Consumer, Decomposer? You decide… Butterflies Cows Grass Cats Algae Mushrooms Fish Mould Flowers Birds Houseplants Worms Cactus Humans Fungi Trees Bacteria

Learning objectives: All of you should be able to: • Describe the role of producers, consumers and decomposers • Identify the word equations for photosynthesis and respiration Most of you should be able to: • Describe photosynthesis and respiration in terms of inputs, outputs, processes and transformations. • Explain the role of producers, consumers and decomposers

In pairs: come up with a definition for the following terms and write them down • Producers (autotrophs) • Consumers (heterotrophs) • Decomposers Organisms that convert sunlight energy into chemical energy. Manufacture their own food from inorganic substances. Obtain their energy by eating other organisms. Feed on autotrophs or other heterotrophs. Obtain their food and nutrients from the breakdown of dead organic matter (DOM).

Their role in the ecosystem… • Producers? • Consumers? • Decomposers?

Their role in the ecosystem… • Producers? • The basis of ecosystems supporting them through constant input of energy and new biomass. • It is this biomass that provides the total theoretical energy available to all non photosynthesizing organisms in the ecosystem.

Their role in the ecosystem… • Cannot make their own food. • Herbivores feed on autotrophs and carnivores on other heterotrophs. • By eating other organisms they gain both food as energy supply and nutrient molecules from within the biomass ingested. • Convert organic compounds into inorganic. • Consumers?

Their role in the ecosystem… • Decomposers? • Waste managers of any ecosystem • When they break down tissue, they release nutrients ready for reabsorption. • They improve nutrient retention capacity in the soil. • Can you remember the two types of decomposers and what they do?

Two processes control the flow of energy through ecosystems… What are they? Photosynthesis Respiration

Photosynthesis • Label the diagram: • Carbon Dioxide • Glucose • Oxygen • Water Chloroplast

Photosynthesis • Summarise photosynthesis in terms of the following: • What are the… • Inputs • Outputs • Processes • Transformations

Inputs

Outputs

Processes • Chlorophyll traps sunlight • The energy is used to split water molecules • Hydrogen from water is combined with carbon dioxide to produce glucose

Transformations Light EnergyChemical Energy Can you write the word equation for photosynthesis? Light energy Light energy Chlorophyll Chlorophyll carbon dioxide + water glucose + oxygen 6CO2 + 6H2O C6H12O6 + 6O2

Photosynthesis Inputs of Water, Carbon Dioxide and Sunlight Light energy is trapped by the chlorophyll inside the chloroplasts Oxygen is released to the atmosphere Energy is released by splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen The hydrogen combines with carbon dioxide to make glucose.

Respiration • Label the diagram: • Glucose • Oxygen • Carbon Dioxide • Energy 4. 1. 2. 3.

Respiration • Summarise respiration in terms of the following: • Inputs • Outputs • Processes • Transformations

Inputs Oxygen from the atmosphere Glucose

Outputs Heat energy out Carbon Dioxide and water

Processes • Oxidation processes inside cells.

Respiration Stored chemical energykinetic energy and heat • Can you write the word equation for respiration? oxygen + glucose energy + water + carbon dioxide 6O2 + C6H12O6 energy + 6H2O + 6CO2

Activity In pairs: • Create a poster about the two metabolic processes, respiration and photosynthesis. • It needs to include the following aspects: • Information about the inputs, outputs, processes and transformations • A diagram summarising these different aspects • The word equations

Producer, Consumer, Decomposer? You decide…