Energy and Matter in Ecosystems

Front

What is an ecosystem?

Back

A community of living and nonliving factors that live and work together.

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NGSS.MS-LS2-3

Front

What is a producer?

Back

An organism that makes its own food, usually through photosynthesis, like plants.

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NGSS.MS-LS1-6

Front

What is a consumer?

Back

An organism that eats other organisms for energy, like animals.

Front

What is a decomposer?

Back

An organism that breaks down dead material and recycles nutrients back into the ecosystem, like fungi and bacteria.

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NGSS.MS-LS2-3

Front

What are abiotic factors?

Back

Nonliving parts of an ecosystem, such as water, sunlight, soil, and air.

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NGSS.MS-LS2-3

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

Front

What are biotic factors?

Back

Living parts of an ecosystem, including plants, animals, and microorganisms.

Front

What role do producers play in an ecosystem?

Back

They provide energy for consumers by converting sunlight into food.

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NGSS.MS-LS1-6

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

Front

What role do consumers play in an ecosystem?

Back

They obtain energy by eating producers or other consumers.

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NGSS.MS-LS2-2

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

Front

What role do decomposers play in an ecosystem?

Back

They break down dead organisms and waste, returning nutrients to the soil.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

Front

Give an example of a producer.

Back

A plant, such as a tree or a flower.

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NGSS.MS-LS2-1

NGSS.MS-LS2-3