How Do Plants and Animals

Obtain and Use Energy?

Plants Obtain Their Energy From The Sun

Plants use light energy from the sun as part of the chemical process that builds plant material. Do you know what this process is called?

Photosynthesis

Animals Obtain Their Energy Through Respiration

During respiration, sugar molecules (from the food animals eat) are broken down to release energy, both mechanical energy and heat energy.

The Energy Connection

The Energy Connection

Sunlight is a source of energy for almost all living things.

Plants use that light to make food for themselves.

The Energy Connection

Herbivores then eat the plants.

Carnivores eat the herbivores.

Scavenger: animals that feed on the bodies of dead animals.

The Energy Connection

Once the carnivore dies, bacteria and fungi in the soil break it down.

The energy connection is complete!!

•Plants and animals get energy in different ways.

•They need each other to survive.

Energy pyramid

A diagram shaped like a triangle that shows the loss of energy at each level

of the food chain.

Types of interactions

Mutualism: a relationship in which both organisms benefit.

Commensalism: a relationship in which one organism benefits and the other is unaffected.

Parasitism: a relationship in which one organism benefits while the other is harmed