Carbon Dioxide and Decomposers

Miss Catherine continues the lesson on matter and energy in ecosystems, focusing on carbon dioxide. The lesson includes a warm-up activity, a sorting tool exercise, and an experiment with a snail and an Elodea plant to explore carbon dioxide emissions. The lesson concludes with a discussion on decomposers and their role in releasing carbon dioxide into ecosystems.

What materials are suggested for following along with the lesson?

• A pen or pencil and some paper

• A calculator and graph paper

• A textbook and highlighter

• A laptop and headphones

What was identified as a cause for the decrease in energy storage molecules in the biodome?

• Lack of sunlight

• Insufficient water

• Too much oxygen

• Not enough carbon dioxide

Which of the following is NOT a component to be sorted in the carbon dioxide activity?

• Mushrooms

• Fallen leaves

• Rocks

• Soil bacteria

What is the purpose of the experiment with the snail and Elodea plant?

• To observe growth rates

• To determine if they emit carbon dioxide

• To measure water absorption

• To test soil quality

What color indicates a high level of carbon dioxide in the experiment?

• Yellow

• Red

• Green

• Blue

What surprising result was found from the snail and Elodea experiment?

• Both snails and Elodea plants emit carbon dioxide

• Only Elodea plants emit carbon dioxide

• Only snails emit carbon dioxide

• Neither snails nor Elodea plants emit carbon dioxide

What do decomposers release into the ecosystem through cellular respiration?

• Hydrogen

• Oxygen

• Carbon dioxide

• Nitrogen

Which organisms are considered decomposers?

• Snails and fish

• Plants and trees

• Birds and mammals

• Fungi, bacteria, and worms

What is a critical component for plant growth that decomposers make available?

• Oxygen

• Carbon

• Nitrogen

• Phosphorus

What process do decomposers use to release energy from dead matter?

• Fermentation

• Photosynthesis

• Transpiration

• Cellular respiration