Natural Science - Term 2 - Week 1

In this section, we will introduce essential vocabulary related to the topic of ecosystems. Words such as 'habitat', 'biodiversity', 'food chain', and 'ecosystem' will be defined and discussed. Understanding these terms is crucial as they form the foundation for our exploration of how living organisms interact with their environment.

Let's look at a simple food chain: Grass → Rabbit → Fox. In this example, grass is the producer, rabbits are primary consumers, and foxes are secondary consumers. Each organism plays a specific role in the ecosystem, and understanding these roles helps us comprehend the balance of nature. We will analyze how energy flows from one organism to another in this chain.

Now, let's work together to create a food chain. Using the vocabulary we just learned, draw a food chain that includes at least three organisms. Label each organism as a producer, primary consumer, or secondary consumer. After completing your food chain, share it with a partner and explain the roles of each organism in the chain.

For this activity, write a short paragraph reflecting on what you found easy and what you found challenging during the guided practice. Consider the vocabulary, the food chain creation, and your understanding of the roles of different organisms. This reflection will help you identify areas where you may need further clarification or practice.

• An organism that eats other organisms
• An organism that makes its own food
• An organism that decomposes dead matter
• An organism that competes for resources

Answer: An organism that makes its own food

Producers, like plants, create their own food through photosynthesis.

• Grass
• Rabbit
• Fox
• Decomposer

Answer: Rabbit

Primary consumers are herbivores that eat producers, such as rabbits that eat grass.

• They produce energy
• They consume plants
• They break down dead organisms
• They compete for sunlight

Answer: They break down dead organisms

Decomposers recycle nutrients back into the ecosystem by breaking down dead matter.

• The variety of life in a particular habitat
• The number of organisms in a food chain
• The amount of energy in an ecosystem
• The competition between species

Answer: The variety of life in a particular habitat

Biodiversity refers to the variety of different species living in an ecosystem.

Answer: A habitat is the natural environment where an organism lives.

Habitats provide the necessary resources for organisms to survive, such as food, water, and shelter.

Answer: A food chain shows a linear sequence of energy flow, while a food web illustrates the interconnected relationships among multiple food chains.

Food webs provide a more complex view of how energy flows through an ecosystem.

Answer: Examples include rabbits and deer.