Mystery Science Circle of Life

Where did the Tyrannosaurus get its energy from? Give an example:

• T. rex got its energy from Triceratops. That energy is not connected to the Sun.

• T. rex got its energy from green plants, which got their energy from the Sun.

• T. rex got its energy directly from the Sun.

• T. rex got its energy from eating Triceratops. Triceratops ate green plants and green plants got their energy from the Sun.

Scientists think that the dinosaurs went extinct because an asteroid hit the Earth and created a giant dust cloud that covered up the Sun. Diego doesn’t think this explanation makes sense. He says, “Some dinosaurs ate other dinosaurs to get their energy. Why would removing the Sun cause the carnivores to go extinct?” Explain to Diego why carnivores would go extinct without the Sun.

• Carnivores would go extinct without the Sun because they get their energy from the Sun. Carnivores do not produce their own food or eat green plants, but the organisms that they eat get their energy from green plants. The energy can be traced back to the Sun.

• Carnivores would not go extinct without the Sun because they don't get their energy from the Sun. Carnivores produce their own food and eat green plants. The energy can't be traced back to the Sun.

Scientists are worried that a disease that kills oak trees will spread into this forest. What would happen to this ecosystem if all the oak trees suddenly disappear?

• If there aren’t any oak trees, the squirrels will not have anything to eat. They will need to find another food source or they will not survive.

• If there aren’t any oak trees, the robins will not have anything to eat. They will need to find another food source or they will not survive.

• If there aren’t any oak trees, the hawks may not have anything to eat because the squirrels and robins may not survive.

• All of the above.

The energy in all ecosystems originally comes from:

• Sunlight

• Plants

• Heat

• Water

Plants are called _____________ as they make their own food.

• consumers

• producers

• decomposers

• conductors

Which best describes what a food chain shows you?

• Energy flow through an ecosystem
• Food flowing through an ecosystem
• Consumers going into other consumers
• Who eats who

What are the organisms that break down dead stuff?

• Producers
• Consumers
• Decomposers
• Organisms

There are three things a plant MUST have in order to survive. What are they?

• soil

• water

• air

• light

Elephants only eat leaves, fruit, nuts and grass. They are called __________.

• Omnivore
• Fortivore
• Herbivore
• Carnivore

Bears eat fish, insects, plants, seeds, nuts and young elk. They are called __________.

• Franivore
• Carnivore
• Herbivore
• Omnivore