Questions and Answers
What is a decomposer?
Define bacteria.
One group of organisms that are too small to be seen without a microscope.
Define fungi.
One group of living things that are neither plant nor animal. They release digestive juices into dead materials.
What is a compost?
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Some decomposers can store excess food they eat as __________.
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What are the two wastes that some decomposers can produce?
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When decomposers die, its once living material become waste. All these wastes are released into the ,, and _____.
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Wastes substances from decomposers are __________ that plants need to grow.
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Grass clippings, fruit, and vegetable peels, leaves, eggshells, coffee grounds, and shredded newspaper produce good compost.
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Glass jars, metal, and plastic produce good compost.
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Wood chips, brown leaves, hay, and newspaper in a compost are called _____
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Vegetable peels, apple core, rotten fruit, leftover food in a compost are called _____
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Some decomposers, like mushrooms and other fungi, can store food as _________________.
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When decomposers start to break down apples on the ground, how will their wastes help the apple trees?
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Are humans decomposers?
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How can humans help decomposers?
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Study Notes
Decomposers in Ecosystems
- Decomposers break down dead organisms and their waste, facilitating nutrient recycling.
- Fungi are a type of decomposer that secrete digestive juices to decompose materials, crucial for nutrient release.
- Bacteria are microscopic decomposers that play a vital role in breaking down organic matter.
Compost and Its Components
- Compost is a blend of soil and decaying organic matter, providing essential nutrients for plant growth.
- Good compost materials include fruit and vegetable peels, grass clippings, eggshells, and coffee grounds.
- Brown matter in compost consists of wood chips, dried leaves, hay, and newspaper, providing carbon.
- Green matter includes vegetable scraps, fruit cores, and leftover food, supplying nitrogen.
Nutrient Recycling Process
- Decomposers recycle matter by returning nutrients, carbon dioxide, and solid waste back to air, soil, and water.
- The wastes from decomposers deliver necessary nutrients to plants, aiding their growth.
Human Interaction with Decomposers
- Humans do not act as decomposers but can assist them by creating compost piles which enhance the decomposition process.
- Proper composting helps manage organic waste and contributes to soil health.
Misconceptions
- Glass, metal, and plastic materials do not contribute to compost and are not suitable for decomposition.
- It is a false statement that humans function as decomposers since they do not fulfill the biological role performed by fungi and bacteria.
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Description
Test your knowledge of decomposers and their vital role in ecosystems with this set of flashcards. Learn about key organisms such as fungi and bacteria, and their functions in breaking down waste and dead matter. Perfect for biology students and enthusiasts alike.
