Decomposers and Nutrient Cycling

The video explains the nutrient cycle in ecosystems, highlighting the role of decomposers in breaking down dead plants and animals to return nutrients to the soil. It describes how energy flows through food chains, from the sun to plants, herbivores, and carnivores, and back to the soil through decomposition. The video also distinguishes between microscopic decomposers like fungi and bacteria and larger detritivores such as earthworms and vultures, emphasizing their importance in maintaining ecosystem health.

What happens to nutrients when animals die in an ecosystem?

• They turn into water.

• They are absorbed by the atmosphere.

• They decompose and return to the soil.

• They are lost forever.

Which organisms are responsible for breaking down dead plants and animals?

• Producers

• Herbivores

• Decomposers

• Predators

In the African Savannah example, what role does the lion play in the nutrient cycle?

• Producer

• Primary consumer

• Secondary consumer

• Decomposer

What are the main decomposers in an ecosystem?

• Microscopic organisms like fungi and bacteria

• Birds

• Large animals

• Plants

What is the term for decomposed organic matter in soil?

• Clay

• Gravel

• Sand

• Humus

Which of the following is NOT a detritivore?

• Earthworm

• Vulture

• Slug

• Lion

What do detritivores primarily consume?

• Live prey

• Dead plants and animals

• Fresh fruits

• Sunlight

How do decomposers contribute to healthy ecosystems?

• By consuming live plants

• By blocking sunlight

• By breaking down dead matter and releasing nutrients

• By producing oxygen

What is the final level of any food chain?

• Producers

• Primary consumers

• Secondary consumers

• Decomposers

What happens to nutrients after decomposers break down dead matter?

• They turn into rocks

• They evaporate

• They are released back into the soil

• They are destroyed