Ecosystems 4th Grade

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What is an ecosystem?

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An ecosystem is a community of living organisms (plants, animals, and microorganisms) interacting with their physical environment (air, water, soil).

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What are producers in an ecosystem?

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Producers are organisms that can make their own food using sunlight through a process called photosynthesis. Examples include plants and algae.

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What are consumers in an ecosystem?

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Consumers are organisms that cannot make their own food and must eat other organisms for energy. Examples include animals and humans.

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What are decomposers?

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Decomposers are organisms that break down dead plants and animals, returning nutrients to the soil. Examples include fungi and bacteria.

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What is photosynthesis?

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Photosynthesis is the process by which green plants use sunlight to convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose (food) and oxygen.

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What is a food chain?

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A food chain is a linear sequence that shows how energy and nutrients flow from one organism to another in an ecosystem.

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What is a food web?

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A food web is a complex network of interconnected food chains in an ecosystem, showing how different organisms are related through feeding relationships.

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What role do plants play in an ecosystem?

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Plants are producers that provide food and oxygen for consumers and are essential for the survival of many organisms.

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How do animals affect plant life in an ecosystem?

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Animals can affect plant life by eating them, pollinating them, or spreading their seeds, which can help or harm plant populations.

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What is the importance of sunlight in an ecosystem?

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Sunlight is the primary energy source for ecosystems, enabling photosynthesis in plants, which is the foundation of food chains.