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Figure 6 – Test yourself by seeing if you Figure 7 – Cyanobacteria are autotrophs
can name the function of each of these because they get their energy from the
parts of a bacterium. sun.
Getting Food and Energy Some bacteria, called
chemotrophs, get their energy by
All living things need a way to get breaking down chemical
energy. Bacteria get their food compounds in the environment,
and energy in many ways. Some including ammonia. Breaking
bacteria can make food on their down ammonia is important
own, while others need other because ammonia contains the
organisms. Some bacteria help element nitrogen.
other living things as they get
energy, others hurt them while All organisms need nitrogen to
they get energy, and still others survive, and the nitrogen released
have no affect on living things at by bacteria is crucial to these living
all. things’ survival. Clearly,
chemotrophs are very important
Some living things, or organisms, and beneficial to other living
are able to make their own food in things.
a process called photosynthesis.
In this process, the organism turns Living things that cannot get their
energy from the sun into energy energy through photosynthesis or
that can be used for energy. from breaking down chemical
Organisms that get their energy compounds have to get their
from photosynthesis are called energy from other living things.
autotrophs. Some bacteria get Some bacteria, called
their energy this way. decomposers, get their energy by
breaking down dead organisms or
waste products into simple
nutrients and energy.
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