Leaving certificate biology Ecology theory Types of organisms in food chains

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Lesson 1, Topic 3

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Types of organisms in food chains

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Types of organisms in an ecosystem

Producers:

Autotrophs : organisms that make their own food

Consumers:

Heterotrophs : organisms that can not make their own food

Primary consumers:

Herbivores : organisms that only eat plants

Secondary consumers:

Carnivores: animals that eat animals

Secondary consumers:

Omnivores : animals that eat plants and animals

Adaptations of organisms to their habitat

It is important that organisms are adapted to their habitat so that they can survive

There are three types of adaptation an organism can have:

Structural

A feature of an organism’s body that helps it to survive/reproduce

Penguins have a short stiff tail. They can lean backwards and balance on their heels and their tail. This reduces heat loss from their feet to the ground.
The colour of a penguin’s body helps to camouflage it when it is swimming. From above, its dark back blends in against the sea and from below, its light front blends in against the sky.

Physiological:

A body process that helps an organism to survive/reproduce

Males can go without food for around 100 days. This allows them to survive during winter when no food is available.
A penguin’s resting heart rate can slow down greatly during a dive so that it can conserve oxygen underwater and spend more time finding food.

Behavioral

Responses made by an organism that help it to survive/reproduce

Adult male penguins huddle together during winter. This helps them to avoid heat loss and survive until spring.
They breed during the winter so that their offspring reach independence in summer when more food is available.

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