The two sources of energy of Earth’s system are the sun’s energy and the heat from the Earth’s interior. The sun’s energy is harnessed by life-forms to carry out the process of photosynthesis. On the other hand, the heat from the Earth’s interior causes the water in the hydrothermal vents, which is located on the ocean floor, to become heated. In the absence of light, this process allows the bacteria to carry out chemosynthesis.

Since consumers, which are also known as heterotrophs, have the inability to produce their own energy, they depend on primary producers for energy-rich compounds that are required for their survival. To acquire energy, they consume other organisms for energy and nutrients.

The model below shows how energy is transferred from a nonliving source into a herbivore. It illustrates how solar energy is converted into a chemical energy by the plants and how the same chemical energy is transferred into the grasshopper.

The model below shows how energy is transferred from a nonliving source into a herbivore. It illustrates how solar energy is converted into a chemical energy by the plants and how the same chemical energy is transferred into the grasshopper. (Click to see the model)

In this observation, the termites and the fungi rely on each other in order for survival. In other words, they have a symbiotic relationship. This type of fungi helps the termites by digesting cellulose from the wood since termites are unable to digest it. In turn, the termites provide the fungi an environment where they can be cultivated. This explains why termites prefer a wood that was inhabited by fungi.