​Sugar, starch, or cellulose that can be broken down to release energy.

Carbohydrate

​Chemical substance that an organism needs to sustain life.

Nutrient

​Left over nutrient rich material from organisms that have died and are undergoing decomposition.

Detritus

​The rate at which energy is stored as carbohydrates by autotrophs.

Primary Productivity

​The process of using the sun's radiation (energy) to produce carbohydrates.

Photosynthesis

​The process of using energy stored in chemical bonds to produce carbohydrates.

Chemosynthesis

​The process of releasing stored energy from carbohydrates to perform the functions of life.

​​Respiration

​The process of breaking down organic material into reusable nutrients.

​​Decomposition

​a.k.a. primary producer; Organism that produces carbohydrates from an outside energy source through photosynthesis or chemosynthesis.

Autotroph

​a.k.a. consumer; Organism that obtains energy and nutrients by feeding on other organisms.

Heterotroph

​Organism that breaks down other organic material into reusable nutrients.

Decomposer

​Organisms that drift or swim weakly, unable to move consistently against waves or currents.

Plankton

​Drifting photosynthetic organisms.

Phytoplankton

​Heterotrophic plankton.

Zooplankton