Ecosystem Flashcard

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What is an ecosystem?

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An ecosystem is a community of living organisms (plants, animals, and microorganisms) interacting with their physical environment (air, water, soil).

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What are producers in an ecosystem?

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Producers are organisms that make their own food using sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide, such as plants and algae.

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What are consumers in an ecosystem?

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Consumers are organisms that eat other living things for energy, including herbivores, carnivores, and omnivores.

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What is a food chain?

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A food chain is a sequence that shows how energy and nutrients flow from one organism to another in an ecosystem.

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What is a predator?

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A predator is an animal that hunts and eats other animals for food.

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What is prey?

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Prey is an animal that is hunted and eaten by predators.

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What role do decomposers play in an ecosystem?

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Decomposers break down dead plants and animals, returning nutrients to the soil and helping to recycle matter.

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How do changes in prey populations affect predator populations?

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If prey populations increase, predator populations may also increase because there is more food available.

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What happens if there are fewer producers in an ecosystem?

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Fewer producers mean less energy is available for consumers, which can lead to a decrease in their populations.

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What is a food web?

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A food web is a complex network of interconnected food chains in an ecosystem, showing how different organisms are related.