Vocab to Know
What is a producer?
Living organisms that use the sun's energy to make their own food
Where do food webs get all their energy from?
The sun!
Which food chain correctly describes the flow of energy in an ecosystem?
a) Grass-->cow-->human
b) Caterpillar-->leaf-->human
c) Cow-->grass-->human
d) Leaf-->bird-->caterpillar
Grass-->cow-->human
The cow eats the grass and the humans eat the cow!
Read this chain below. What is missing: a decomposer, a producer, a consumer, or a decomposer?
_____ -> Robin -> Snake
A decomposer: A worm
I only eat producers, like plants and fungi. I am a...
What is a consumer?
Organisms that cannot make their own food, so they get energy from the producers and other consumers
True or False: A food web is about an entire ecosystem.
True! Food chains are just one possible path. Food webs are about all the paths in a certain community!
How does every food chain start? (Hint: Where does the energy come from?)
The sun!
Read this chain below. What is missing: a decomposer, a producer, a consumer, or a decomposer?
_____ -> Deer -> Wolf -> Insects
A producer, like grass!
I eat both plants and meat. I can eat producers and other consumers. A great example of me is a bear or a human. I am an...
...Omnivore!
Herbivores are organisms that only eat the producers.
Carnivores are animals that will eat other animals.
Why are decomposers so important to a food web?
They break down remains so nutrients can be re-absorbed into the soil and nourish more producers!
In what order do a hawk, grass, rabbit, worm, and the sun form a food chain in a meadow?
Sun --> grass --> rabbit --> hawk --> worm
Read this chain below. What is missing: a decomposer, a producer, a consumer, or a decomposer?
sun --> _____ --> grasshopper --> frog --> snake --> hawk --> fungi
The producer, such as grass!
I consume producers and consumers, and I enrich the soil with nutrients.
decomposer
What is a decomposer? Give an example.
Decomposers are organisms that break down dead matter into substances that can be used by the producers.
For example: fungi, insects, worms, and bacteria
What is the difference between a food chain and a food web?
A food chain shows one path of energy. A food web shows many different paths--kind of like a map!
What is the primary consumer in this food chain?
sun --> grass --> grasshopper --> frog --> snake --> hawk --> fungi
The grasshopper! The primary consumer eats plants!
Read this chain below. What is missing: a decomposer, a producer, a consumer, or a decomposer?
sun --> grass --> mouse --> _______
A consumer, such as a hawk!
What is the chemical formula for Carbon Dioxide?
1 molecule of Carbon
2 molecules Oxygen