CHAPTER 1 ECOSYSTEMS AND EVOLUTION 1.Energy in Ecosystems a.Producers i.Plants, algae, and some bacteria are producers(Autotrophs)that produce their own food from simple raw materials ii.Most primary producers use sunlight as energy forphotosynthesis, which transforms light energyinto chemical energy. iii.Photosynthesis 1.CO2 + Water + Light EnergyGlucose and Oxygen b.Consumers i.(Heterotrophs) obtain energy by breaking down food molecules produced in photosynthesis ii.Primary consumers eat producers iii.Secondary consumers eat primary consumers c.Decomposers: very important part of the environment i.Most bacteria and fungi are decomposers: obtain nutrients by breaking down nonliving organic material such as wastes, dead leaves and branches, and bodies of dead organisms d.Life depends on a continuous input of energy from the sun e.There is a one way flow of energy through ecosystems i.Organisms cannot create energy and cannot use energy 100% efficiently ii.
