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WorksheetsLife in the Soil
Total questions: 33
Worksheet time: 17mins
What are the two events that occur to make life possible?
The nitrogen cycle
The carbon cycle
Photosynthesis
Osmosis
Which would cattle represent on the food chain?
Primary producer
Primary Consumer
Secondary consumer
Decomposer
Which would a hawk represent on the food chain?
Primary producer
Primary Consumer
Secondary consumer
Decomposer
Which would fungi represent on the food chain?
Primary producer
Primary Consumer
Secondary consumer
Decomposer
Which would Sweet Clovers represent on the food chain?
Primary producer
Primary Consumer
Secondary consumer
Decomposer
This can feed on the roots and can cause diseases
Heterotrophs
Saprophytes
Parasites
Predators
Autotrophs
These prey on other soil life and can keep parasite numbers low
Heterotrophs
Saprophytes
Parasites
Predators
Autotrophs
These are decomposers that feed on dead material
Heterotrophs
Saprophytes
Parasites
Predators
Autotrophs
These organisms create their own food from inorganic carbons
Heterotrophs
Saprophytes
Parasites
Predators
Autotrophs
These organisms get their food from other sources
Heterotrophs
Saprophytes
Parasites
Predators
Autotrophs
Select all of the four categories of microorganisms that inhabit the soil?
Bacteria
Actinomycetes
Fungi
Aerobic
Algae
True or False: producers create their own food from in organic carbon through photosynthesis
True
False
True or False: fungi are heterotrophic in thrive in aerobic conditions and occupy large poor spaces
True
False
True or False: Bacteria cannot live in environments without air supply.
True
False
True or False: plants can utilize nutrients in complex forms
True
False
True or False: When a chemical is applied to the soil organisms will flourish and break down that chemical, sometime so quickly that it doesn’t have time to work
True
False
True or False: Solarization is a non-chemical method that is used to sterilize soil with clear plastic sheets to heat up the ground using the sun and destroying harmful organisms.
True
False
There can be up to how many bacteria in a teaspoon of soil?
200,000
100 million
10 million
20,000
These grow from mycelium and release spores or seeds.
Bacteria
Fungi
Actinomycetes
Algae
Nutrients that are tied up and living plants and animals that can’t be used are considered to be
Non-symbiotic
Mobilize
Symbiotic
Immobilized
Legumes can add up to how many pounds of nitrogen yearly to the soil?
500
450
300
100
What is the best method to controlling harmful organisms?
Sterilization
Solarization
Prevention
Inoculation
How does fungi breakdown hard to decompose material?
It uses hyphae to grow around and into organisms to consume their prey
It uses a chemical to break down and consume their prey
How can actinomycetes protect plants?
They can produce a chemical like anabiotic that protects roots from diseases
When they are combined with fungi they produce an anabiotic that helps roots with diseases
Actinomycetes don’t actually protect the plant they are the disease
What is a symbiotic relationship with nitrogen and bacteria?
Bacteria eat food dropped by plants and the plants get nitrogen created by the organisms
Bacteria take up all the nitrogen that the plants provide and in return create phosphorus for the plants to use
Send Mycorrhizae have a symbiotic relationship with plants what are the benefits that the plants get?
Allows them to absorb phosphorus and live longer free from disease
Allows them to live longer and absorb more sunlight
How does inoculation process work and what is its benefit to the plant?
Applied to the seeds prior to planting this will help ensure good nodular growth on roots
This is applied directly after planting to help ensure germination
This is applied prior to planting to help with good leaf growth
Why would we want to promote soil organisms?
Soil with thriving organisms means a healthy growing environment for plants
When soil is thriving with organisms that means the potential or disease in plants
Which is a good tip to help promote soil organisms in our growing environment?
Good aeration, adequate moisture with the proper temperature
Less organic matter better aeration and colder temperatures
Maintaining a healthy soil with fresh organic matter little aeration and no moisture
What are two negatives to sterilizing a field?
The cost is high
It will destroy all the plants
It could kill the good bacteria
It is an ineffective procedure
Mites millipedes centipedes in pill bugs are all examples of what found in the soil?
Arachnids
Arthropods
Anaerobic bacteria
Predators
What role do mites millipedes centipedes in pill bugs play in the soil environment?
They feed on decaying matter and they tunnel allowing for aeration and water infiltration
They feed on nitrogen and organic matter, breaking it all down for the plant
How can mammals that inhabit the soil affect the environment?
They burrow in it mixing the soil and slowing the aging process
They burrow into the soil mixing it and in the process quickening the aging process
