Ecosystems
What is the difference between biotic and abiotic factors?
Biotic factors are living things, while abiotic factors are nonliving things like water and sunlight.
What is a food chain?
A food chain shows how energy moves from one organism to another through eating.
How do animals depend on plants in an ecosystem?
Animals depend on plants for food, oxygen, and shelter.
chlorophyll
A __________ makes its own food.
producer
Why are decomposers important in an ecosystem?
Decomposers break down dead organisms and recycle nutrients back into the soil.
What is a food web?
A food web is a network of connected food chains in an ecosystem.
How does pollution affect ecosystems?
Pollution can harm plants, animals, water, air, and soil, making ecosystems unhealthy.
What is a plant's food called?
glucose (sugar)
An animal that cannot make its own food is called a _______________.
consumer
What are examples of aquatic ecosystems?
Oceans, rivers, lakes, ponds, and wetlands are aquatic ecosystems.
An owl is a __________ to a mouse.
predator
What is the difference between a habitat and a niche
A habitat is where an organism lives, while a niche is the role it plays in the ecosystem.
What part of the plant is responsible for making food through photosynthesis?
leaves
An animal, like people, that eats both plants and animals in called a __________.
carnivore
Pick an ecosystem, describe abiotic and biotic factors in that ecosystem. How do they interact?
Answers will vary.
What happens when one species disappears from an ecosystem?
It can disrupt the food web and affect other species that depend on it.
How does climate affect ecosystems?
Climate affects temperature and rainfall, which determine what organisms can live there.
What part of the plant is responsible for making food through photosynthesis?
leaves
What is an ecosystem?
An ecosystem is a community of living things and nonliving things interacting together in one area
In our fish tank, name all the biotic and abiotic organisms.
Biotic: fish, algae, plants, etc.
Abiotic: rocks, gravel, water, etc.
What role do predators play in ecosystems?
Predators help control prey populations and keep ecosystems balanced.
How do humans change ecosystems?
Humans change ecosystems through pollution, deforestation, building cities, and farming.
oxygen
What is the main source of energy on earth?
the sun