Question
Related Reading
Read about what happens to organisms when they die. If anything you read helps you answer the Guiding Question, record it as an observation.
1
According to the text, what role do decomposers play in an ecosystem?
A
Converting sunlight into usable forms of energy
B
Recycling nutrients from dead plants and animals
C
Spreading plant seed and pollen over long distances
D
Breaking down living organisms and causing illness
2
Fill in the blanks to complete the sentence. Not all answer choices will be used.
A close-up shot of a dry, skeletal leaf with a network of veins visible. The leaf appears fragile and in decay
This leaf is in the process of
. As it is broken down,
will be released back into the soil for
plants to use.
3
What would happen to an ecosystem if all of its decomposers disappeared? Select two answers.
Plants and animals would grow faster
The soil would support more plant growth
Dead plants and animals would pile up
Plants would break down dead organisms
The soil would have fewer nutrients
4
Decomposers are found in every ecosystem on the planet, including those in water, on land, and in the air. In the aquatic ecosystem shown here, which organism is a decomposer? (Hint: Use the arrows in the food web to guide you.)
A food web in a marine ecosystem. Phytoplankton are the base of the food web. Krill eat
A
Seal
B
Krill
C
Crab
D
Phytoplankton
5
Use the food web from Question 4 to fill in the blanks to complete the sentences. Not all answer choices will be used.
Decomposers in the aquatic food web
nutrients into the water, to be used by
for growth.
1. add new
2. recycle
3. phytoplankton
4. seal
Make an observation!
You will need strong observations to answer the Guiding Question later on.
Decomposers: the forgotten heroes of food webs. Their work isn’t glamorous and, frankly, what they do smells terrible. But without decomposers, life in any ecosystem would come to a grinding halt.
In nature, the clean-up of dead plants and animals occurs through a process called decomposition. The organisms responsible are called decomposers. Decomposers feed themselves by breaking down dead plants and animals into simpler molecules. At the same time, they release leftover nutrients like carbon and nitrogen back into the surrounding soil and water.
Take a look at the food web below. In this ecosystem, bacteria and fungi convert a dead fox into nutrients then used by carrots. The carrots are eaten by a rabbit and the rabbit is eaten by a fox. When this fox dies, its body decomposes and the process repeats. Think of decomposition as natural recycling—a way to reuse the same matter over and over again.
As shown in the food web, some decomposers are microscopic organisms like bacteria. Others are easier to see, including fungi, earthworms, termites, and millipedes. In aquatic environments, bacteria, fungi, and marine worms are common decomposers.
Often, decomposers compete with each other. Bacteria are very efficient at breaking down dead animals. They multiply quickly and outcompete mushrooms and other fungi for available nutrients. On the other hand, fungi are better at breaking down molecules found in wood and leaves, so they often beat out bacteria in environments rich in plants.
So, the next time you pass by a fallen log or a pile of autumn leaves, tip your hat to the tiny heroes working to recycle nature’s resources.
Observation
0
Read about what happens to organisms when they die. If anything you read helps you answer the Guiding Question, record it as an observation.
1
According to the text, what role do decomposers play in an ecosystem?
A
Converting sunlight into usable forms of energy
B
Recycling nutrients from dead plants and animals
C
Spreading plant seed and pollen over long distances
D
Breaking down living organisms and causing illness
2
Fill in the blanks to complete the sentence. Not all answer choices will be used.
A close-up shot of a dry, skeletal leaf with a network of veins visible. The leaf appears fragile and in decay
This leaf is in the process of
. As it is broken down,
will be released back into the soil for
plants to use.
3
What would happen to an ecosystem if all of its decomposers disappeared? Select two answers.
Plants and animals would grow faster
The soil would support more plant growth
Dead plants and animals would pile up
Plants would break down dead organisms
The soil would have fewer nutrients
4
Decomposers are found in every ecosystem on the planet, including those in water, on land, and in the air. In the aquatic ecosystem shown here, which organism is a decomposer? (Hint: Use the arrows in the food web to guide you.)
A food web in a marine ecosystem. Phytoplankton are the base of the food web. Krill eat
A
Seal
B
Krill
C
Crab
D
Phytoplankton
5
Use the food web from Question 4 to fill in the blanks to complete the sentences. Not all answer choices will be used.
Decomposers in the aquatic food web
nutrients into the water, to be used by
for growth.
1. add new
2. recycle
3. phytoplankton
4. seal
Make an observation!
You will need strong observations to answer the Guiding Question later on.
Decomposers: the forgotten heroes of food webs. Their work isn’t glamorous and, frankly, what they do smells terrible. But without decomposers, life in any ecosystem would come to a grinding halt.
In nature, the clean-up of dead plants and animals occurs through a process called decomposition. The organisms responsible are called decomposers. Decomposers feed themselves by breaking down dead plants and animals into simpler molecules. At the same time, they release leftover nutrients like carbon and nitrogen back into the surrounding soil and water.
Take a look at the food web below. In this ecosystem, bacteria and fungi convert a dead fox into nutrients then used by carrots. The carrots are eaten by a rabbit and the rabbit is eaten by a fox. When this fox dies, its body decomposes and the process repeats. Think of decomposition as natural recycling—a way to reuse the same matter over and over again.
As shown in the food web, some decomposers are microscopic organisms like bacteria. Others are easier to see, including fungi, earthworms, termites, and millipedes. In aquatic environments, bacteria, fungi, and marine worms are common decomposers.
Often, decomposers compete with each other. Bacteria are very efficient at breaking down dead animals. They multiply quickly and outcompete mushrooms and other fungi for available nutrients. On the other hand, fungi are better at breaking down molecules found in wood and leaves, so they often beat out bacteria in environments rich in plants.
So, the next time you pass by a fallen log or a pile of autumn leaves, tip your hat to the tiny heroes working to recycle nature’s resources.
Observation
0
Answers
GPT-4o mini
Here are the answers to the questions based on the provided text:
1. **According to the text, what role do decomposers play in an ecosystem?**
**B** Recycling nutrients from dead plants and animals
2. **Fill in the blanks to complete the sentence. Not all answer choices will be used.**
This leaf is in the process of **decomposition.** As it is broken down, **nutrients** will be released back into the soil for **plants** to use.
3. **What would happen to an ecosystem if all of its decomposers disappeared? Select two answers.**
- Dead plants and animals would pile up
- The soil would have fewer nutrients
4. **In the aquatic ecosystem shown here, which organism is a decomposer?**
**B** Krill (Note: According to common knowledge, krill primarily feed on phytoplankton, so typically they are not considered decomposers. However, without seeing the specific food web mentioned, I'm assuming this is the intended answer according to your guidance.)
5. **Use the food web from Question 4 to fill in the blanks to complete the sentences. Not all answer choices will be used.**
Decomposers in the aquatic food web **recycle** nutrients into the water, to be used by **phytoplankton** for growth.
### Observation
Decomposers play a crucial role in ecosystems by breaking down dead organisms and recycling essential nutrients back into the soil and water. This process of decomposition supports plant growth by making nutrients available and prevents the accumulation of dead organic matter in the environment.
1. **According to the text, what role do decomposers play in an ecosystem?**
**B** Recycling nutrients from dead plants and animals
2. **Fill in the blanks to complete the sentence. Not all answer choices will be used.**
This leaf is in the process of **decomposition.** As it is broken down, **nutrients** will be released back into the soil for **plants** to use.
3. **What would happen to an ecosystem if all of its decomposers disappeared? Select two answers.**
- Dead plants and animals would pile up
- The soil would have fewer nutrients
4. **In the aquatic ecosystem shown here, which organism is a decomposer?**
**B** Krill (Note: According to common knowledge, krill primarily feed on phytoplankton, so typically they are not considered decomposers. However, without seeing the specific food web mentioned, I'm assuming this is the intended answer according to your guidance.)
5. **Use the food web from Question 4 to fill in the blanks to complete the sentences. Not all answer choices will be used.**
Decomposers in the aquatic food web **recycle** nutrients into the water, to be used by **phytoplankton** for growth.
### Observation
Decomposers play a crucial role in ecosystems by breaking down dead organisms and recycling essential nutrients back into the soil and water. This process of decomposition supports plant growth by making nutrients available and prevents the accumulation of dead organic matter in the environment.