Fast and the Curious: Producers, Consumers, and Decomposers

Which of the following is a primary role of producers in an ecosystem?

• Decomposing organic matter

• Producing energy through photosynthesis

• Consuming other organisms

• Breaking down dead organisms

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

What is the main difference between consumers and decomposers in an ecosystem?

• Consumers produce their own food, while decomposers do not.

• Consumers eat other organisms, while decomposers break down dead material.

• Consumers are always animals, while decomposers are always plants.

• Consumers use sunlight for energy, while decomposers use chemicals.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-2

How do decomposers contribute to the nutrient cycle in an ecosystem?

• By producing oxygen

• By breaking down dead organisms and releasing nutrients back into the soil

• By consuming producers

• By providing shelter for small animals

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-2

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

Consider an ecosystem where a disease drastically reduces the number of primary consumers. What is a possible consequence for the producers in this ecosystem?

• Producers will increase in number due to less predation.

• Producers will decrease in number due to lack of nutrients.

• Producers will remain unaffected.

• Producers will become decomposers.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

Which of the following best describes the role of a consumer in an ecosystem?

• To produce energy from sunlight

• To break down dead organisms

• To obtain energy by eating other organisms

• To recycle nutrients back into the soil

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

How might an increase in decomposer activity affect the soil quality in an ecosystem?

• It would decrease soil quality by removing nutrients.

• It would increase soil quality by adding nutrients.

• It would have no effect on soil quality.

• It would make the soil toxic to plants.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-2

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

Which of the following is a direct consequence of having too many consumers in an ecosystem?

• Increase in producer population

• Decrease in producer population

• Increase in decomposer population

• Decrease in decomposer population

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

How can the introduction of a new consumer species affect the balance of an ecosystem?

• It will have no effect on the ecosystem.

• It could lead to overconsumption of certain producers.

• It will only affect decomposers.

• It will automatically become the top predator.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

NGSS.MS-LS2-2

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

Which of the following best describes the relationship between producers and consumers?

• Producers eat consumers.

• Consumers eat producers.

• Producers and consumers do not interact.

• Producers and consumers are the same organisms.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

In a balanced ecosystem, what role do decomposers play in supporting producers?

• They compete with producers for sunlight.

• They provide nutrients to producers by breaking down organic matter.

• They consume producers to maintain balance.

• They have no role in supporting producers.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-3