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//SMJ //
=   = =Producers and Consumers =  The two types of organisms that live on this earth.

Producers
A producer is an organism that can provide it's own energy to survive. They don't need someone else to make them a peanut butter jelly sandwich in order to gain energy like we do, they take energy from their surroundings and convert it into a type of energy that we use. the main source of energy on this earth is the light that comes from the sun. There are two different types of producers: phototrophs and chemotrophs.

 Phototrophs

 * Pototrophs are [[image:15_19_8---Tree--Northumberland_web.jpg width="230" height="154" align="left"]]a type of organism that use sunlight for energy. All plants, a few types of algea, and only certain types of bacteria can take sunlight and convert it into energy. These producers do this with a process called //photosynthesis.// Photosynthesis is the process in which all plants and few other organisms convert cardon dioxide and water into energy that they can use such as sugar and starches. Phototrophs rely on sunlight to survive. There are many of these in rain forests and other gathering of plants; all plants are phototrophs. Trees, flowers, and grass are a few examples of this organism.

[[image:pogo1.gif width="174" height="255" align="right"]]

 * While phototrophs live on the surface and soak up the sun, deep down in the ocean and other places underground there are organisms who do not need the sun - organisms who will most likely never see the light of day for the rest of their lives. It sounds harsh but its true. Chemotrophs are organisms that do not rely on sunlight to survive. They use energy from chemicals to gain energy to survive through a process called //chemosynthesis//. Chemosynthesis is when chemotrophs use chemical energy to produce carbohydrates from the energy within the chemical bonds of inorganic molecules. Most of these organisms live by deep sea chemical vents where thay live off the chemical energy that is produced. Tube worms are an example of this organism.

Consumers
Consumers are very unlike producers, they depend on other organisms for survival because they can't make (or produce) their own food out of sunlight or chemical energy. There are a few types of consumers. These are: herbivores, carnivores, omnivores, detritivores, and decomposers.

 Herbivores

 * Herbivores a[[image:buck_eating_food_plot.JPG width="254" height="153" align="left"]]re a very different type of organism than us humans, they //can not eat meat!// Yes, herbivores feed solely on plants and vegetation. They consume most types of phototrophs. Herbivores are mostly a more gentle species. For instance, a deer is a type of herbivore. You wouldn't expect a deer with rabies, all sorts of lice and ticks, and frothing at the mouth, to randomly charge at you and try to "show you whose boss". But some herbivores will attack if threatened, so watch out. Some examples of herbivores are deer, bison, giraffs, and most of the little animals you liked as a kid.

 Carniv ores

 * Carnivores. These guys are pretty much disliked by most herbivores. Carnivores eat meat, so they practicaly feed off of herbivores. Carnivores are a little bit higher up on the food chain. Even tho ugh they eat meat, they still need nutriants found in plants, which they can gain from eating herbivores.There are many types of carnivores. A few of these are snakes, crocodiles, hyenas, lions, sharks, and lots more.

Omnivores

 * Finall[[image:joe_un0006.jpg width="187" height="187" align="left"]]y, now humans get into the picture. Humans are omnivores. Omnivores are organisms that eat plants and meat. (Unless you're a vegetarian and only choose to eat plants.) Omnivores are carnivores and herbivores. Omnivores live everywhere. Just look outside and you will see them EVERYWHERE. Some types of herbivores are humans, some bears, raccoons, sloths, and other types.

Detritivores

 * Detritivores are a little strange. They gain their energy by consuming //detritus//. Before we can learn more about these organisms, we [[image:gummi_worm.jpg width="186" height="131" align="left"]]must first understand what they eat. Detritus is decomposing organic matter, like f[[image:worm.jpg width="224" height="166" align="right"]]ertilizer and compost; things that are usually found in dirt. Detritivores are great for gardens. In fact, that is where they are usually found. They devour this organic matter and... well... when their bodies are done with what they eat, the stuff that is left behind, if you get what I mean, is great for plants in the garden and provides them with rich nutriants. A couple of examples of these type of organisms are worms and potatoe bugs/"roly-polies".

Decomposers

 * These organisms live around and on dead organisms, mostly plants and treas. Decomposers consume dead organisms and in the [[image:images.jpeg align="left"]]process, carry out a process called decomposition, which breaks down the decaying organisms. They get their energy from the organic substances, which is where they get there energy from. The two main decomposers are bacteria and fungi (mushrooms) which are all over in those Mario games.

//To conclude, all organisms have a way of life and are all somehow connected.//

SOURCES:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herbivore http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carnivore http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Omnivore http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Detritivores http://images.google.com/images?q=mario+mushroom&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&sa=N&tab=wi&oi=property_suggestions&resnum=0&ct=property-revision&cd=1 http://www.newton.k12.ma.us/Technology/it/Gr4/images/worm.jpg http://candyaddict.com/blog/candy_pictures/gummi_worm.jpg http://www.cobrarmy.com/images/product_joe/joe_un0006.jpg http://guernsey.osu.edu/master-gardeners/deer.jpg http://www.buckmanager.com/media/images/2007/09/buck_eating_food_plot.JPG http://www.freefoto.com/images/15/19/15_19_8---Tree--Northumberland_web.jpg