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What type of object blocks light to form a shadow?
Opaque object.
What is the singular form of "bacteria"?
Bacterium
What do we call microorganisms that cause decay?
Decomposers.
Where does the energy in food chains originally come from?
The Sun.
What is the white powder on grapes called?
Yeast.
Why does the Moon’s shadow cause a solar eclipse?
It blocks sunlight from reaching Earth.
Name two types of single-celled microorganisms.
Bacteria and protozoa.
What happens to an apple when mould grows on it?
It decays (becomes brown/soft)
What jelly is used to grow microorganisms in labs?
Agar jelly.
How do plants transfer energy to animals in food chains?
Animals eat plants (energy passes through food).
Why is a total solar eclipse only visible in certain locations?
Only areas in the Moon’s full shadow (umbra) see it.
How do fungi like yeast reproduce?
By budding (small buds grow from cells).
What role do decomposers play in food webs?
Break down organic matter, recycling nutrients.
Why are bacteria cells much smaller than animal cells?
They are single-celled organisms.
What is the difference between a partial and total solar eclipse?
Partial: some sunlight blocked; Total: all sunlight blocked.
Explain why shadows are darkest in the center.
All light rays are blocked (no scattered light).
How does agar jelly help scientists study microorganisms?
Provides nutrients for colonies to grow visibly.
Why don’t viruses count as microorganisms?
They aren’t made of cells and can’t reproduce alone.
Describe how energy moves through the chain: Sun → Rice → Arun.
Sunlight → photosynthesis in rice → Arun eats rice.
What happens to organic matter during decay?
Microorganisms break it into simpler substances.
Predict: What would happen if decomposers disappeared from ecosystems?
Dead matter would pile up; nutrients wouldn’t recycle.
Why must Petri dishes be sterile before use?
To prevent contamination by unwanted microbes.
Compare the roles of bacteria and fungi in decay.
Both break down matter, but fungi often target harder materials (e.g., wood).
Design a food chain including a decomposer.
Sun → Grass → Rabbit → Fox → Mould (decomposer).
Do decomposers only break down animal remains?
No, decomposers break down both plant and animal remains, as well as other organic waste like fallen leaves and dead insects.