Matter in Ecosystems Review

1) In a food chain, matter passes from one __________ to the next.

• ecosystem
• organism
• nutrient
• producer

2) A _______________ is a living thing that breaks down plant and animal matter into simpler substances.

• nutrient
• producer
• consumer
• decomposer

3) A ___________ eats other organisms in order to obtain energy.

• nutrient
• producer
• consumer
• decomposer

4) A _______________ makes its own food using light energy from the sun.

• nutrient
• producer
• consumer
• decomposer

5) How could you best classify the image below?

• producer
• consumer
• decomposer

6) Which fact is true about the organism pictured below? Select all that apply:

• It can create its own food.
• It contains nutrients that will eventually be passed on to other organisms.
• It survives by feeding on dead consumers.
• It may use water that has been a part of our ecosystem since the time of the dinosaurs.

7) The energy animals need to survive originates from:

• air
• the sun
• soil
• water

8) Which organisms below feed on dead consumers in order to break down matter? Select all that apply:

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9) Which sentence best explains how matter is transferred through an ecosystem?

• The nutrients and energy from one organism are passed on when an organism consumes another.
• Matter changes one organism from a consumer to a producer.
• A decomposer transfers its nutrients and energy into the soil so that other animals can consume it.
• All plants and animals receive their energy and nutrients directly from the sun.

10) Which image belongs in the empty box in the food chain?

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