Lesson Check: Role of Decomposers

Front

How do decomposers help plants?

Back

They enrich the soil.

Front

What can sprout from the soil like plants, but cannot make its own food?

Back

Fungi

Front

Energy and other materials from dead organisms are recycled back into the soil by _____

Back

decomposers

Front

Organisms, such as fungi and ________________, that break down dead organisms and return them as nutrients to the soil, are known as ________________.

Back

bacteria; decomposers

Front

How does placing compost in your garden improve the natural environment?

Back

It makes the soil rich in nutrients.

Front

The job of decomposers is to break down dead plants and animals into useful substances. This job is their ___________.

Back

niche

Front

Predict how drought could affect the amount of food for each organism shown in the model of the ecosystem.

Back

Drought could decrease the amount of food for each organism in the ecosystem.

Front

Predict how the ecosystem would be affected if the decomposers shown in the model die.

Back

Nutrients would not be recycled, disrupting the ecosystem balance.

Front

What would most likely happen to the nutrient levels in soil if decomposers were removed from an ecosystem?

Back

Nutrient levels would decrease over time.

Front

Example of a decomposer: Rabbit, Sunflower, Earthworm, Grasshopper

Back

Earthworm