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An ecosystem is a community of organisms interacting with their physical environment. Why are decomposers an important part of ecosystems?

• They break down dead organisms to return nutrients to the soil.

• They produce their own food for survival.

• They play a role in preventing weathering and erosion.

• They provide most of the energy to consumers.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

Which type of organism eats only plants?

• carnivore

• herbivore

• producer

• scavenger

An organism that breaks down dead material for fuel

• Decomposer

• Producer

• Herbivore

• Carnivore

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

Which is the first organism in a food chain?

• sun

• producer

• consumer

• decomposer

Where do all life forms get their energy?

• Earth's Core

• Water

• Plants

• The Sun

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-6

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

An animal that eats other animals is a....

• carnivore

• omnivore

• herbivore

• decomposer

Decomposers are important to the flow of energy in an ecosystem because they

• are at the top of every food chain.

• eat things other organisms do not eat.

• make up a large portion of the top layer of the soil.

• break organic material into parts that can be reused.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

An ecosystem is a community of organisms interacting with their physical environment. Why are decomposers an important part of ecosystems?

• They break down dead organisms to return nutrients to the soil.

• They produce their own food for survival.

• They play a role in preventing weathering and erosion.

• They provide most of the energy to consumers.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

Plants in a forest need to obtain nutrients from the soil to survive. How do MOST of the nutrients get back in the soil once the forest plants have used them for growth?

• Organic matter is recycled from dead organisms.

• Commercial fertilizers are applied by humans.

• Solar radiation reaches the ground surface.

• Rainwater drips off of living organisms.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

How are bacteria classified in a forest ecosystem?

• as consumers

• as decomposers

• as herbivores

• as producers