Obtaining the elements needed to make biological molecules
I can describe which chemical elements make up carbohydrates, proteins and lipids, and where producers and consumers get these elements from.
Obtaining the elements needed to make biological molecules
I can describe which chemical elements make up carbohydrates, proteins and lipids, and where producers and consumers get these elements from.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- All carbohydrates, proteins and lipids are made of the elements carbon, hydrogen and oxygen.
- All proteins and some lipids also contain the element nitrogen.
- Producers obtain carbon and oxygen from the air, hydrogen from water, and nitrogen from the soil.
- Consumers cannot use carbon from carbon dioxide in air to make biological molecules; only producers can do that.
- Consumers absorb oxygen from the air but get all their carbon and nitrogen by eating producers.
Common misconception
That plants absorb nitrogen from the atmosphere, and animals do not need plants to obtain carbon, so plants are not necessary for food.
How plants obtain carbon and nitrogen, and the reliance that consumers have on producers for these inorganic elements is covered in detail.
Keywords
Autotrophic - An organism that can make its own food, such as a plant or other producer.
Abiotic - The non-living parts of an ecosystem, such as the atmosphere.
Photosynthesis - The process carried out by plants that converts carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen.
Producer - An organism that produces its own food, such as a plant.
Consumer - An organism which must eat other organisms in order to obtain food.
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
For energy and storage.
For growth and repair.
For energy storage, insulation and to make cell membranes.
Exit quiz
6 Questions
water
air
soil
non-living parts of an ecosystem
living parts of an ecosystem
organism that can make its own food, such as a plant