Matter Cycling
What is the process by which matter moves through ecosystems?
Matter Cycling
What do plants need from the Sun to grow?
Energy (sunlight)
What do animals eat to get energy?
Plants or other animals
Name one human activity that affects ecosystems.
Deforestation
What is one way to conserve water?
Answers may vary
Name one way matter cycles between organisms.
Food Chains and Food Webs
Which two elements do plants convert into matter for growth?
Air (carbon dioxide) and water.
What is a food chain?
A sequence of who eats whom in an ecosystem.
How does pollution impact ecosystems?
It can harm organisms and disrupt matter cycling.
How can recycling help the environment?
By reducing waste and conserving resources.
Which organisms help decompose matter, returning nutrients to the soil?
Decomposers, Fungi, or Bacteria
What is the process called where plants make their own food?
Photosynthesis
What role do herbivores play in the ecosystem?
They consume plants and transfer energy to higher trophic levels, or energy levels.
What is the effect of overfishing on the ecosystem?
It disrupts the balance of marine food webs.
What is a renewable energy source?
Solar or Wind Energy
What do we call the movement of water through the environment?
The water cycle
What part of the plant absorbs sunlight?
Leaves
Which animals are at the top of the food chain?
Apex predators
How can agriculture impact matter cycling?
Through the use of fertilizers and pesticides.
Why is protecting wildlife important?
To maintain biodiversity and ecosystem balance.
How does carbon dioxide cycle through ecosystems?
Photosynthesis and Respiration
How do plants contribute to the cycling of matter in an ecosystem?
By producing oxygen and serving as a food source.
How do decomposers fit into the food web?
They break down dead matter, recycling nutrients.
What is climate change?
A long-term change in temperature and weather patterns.
How can scientists help restore ecosystems?
By designing conservation strategies and solutions.