Module 2 Lesson 3 - Role of Decomposers

1. Mushrooms are a type of _____________ that are decomposers.

• stomata
• energy
• bacteria
• fungi

2. a type of single cell organism

• fungi
• bacteria
• stomata
• energy

3. an organism that breaks down dead plant and animal material

• stomata
• decomposer
• bacteria
• fungi

4. How do decomposers help plants?

• They help with photosynthesis.
• They enrich the soil.
• They provide oxygen.
• They hold water.

5. ______________ can sprout from the soil like plants, but cannot make its own food.

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

• producers
• herbivores
• omnivores
• decomposers

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

• decomposers; bacteria
• bacteria; decomposers

8. People can help nature recycle plant material by composting. People use compost in their gardens. How does placing compost in your garden improve the natural environment?

• It makes the soil harder.
• It makes the soil unusable.
• It helps keep insects away.
• It makes the soil rich in nutrients

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

• adaptation
• skill
• niche
• habitat

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