Chapter 3 Ecosystems 2

Question 1

Does every living thing need energy?

Answer 1

Yes

Question 2

What is the major source of energy for life on Earth? (where does most of the energy come from)

Answer 2

The sunlight is the major energy source for life on Earth.

Question 3

How do plants produce food?

Answer 3

Plants use energy from sunlight to produce their food.

Question 4

How does energy flow in an ecosystem?

Answer 4

Energy is passed along the food chain.

Plants (producsers) store energy from sunglight and give it to herbivores and omnivores when eaten.

Carnivores eat the herbivores and omnivores for energy.

Decomposers digest the plants and animals when they die and energy is recycled into the soil and starts all over again.

Question 5

How is the balance of the ecosystem disturbed?

Answer 5

• People change the environment to meet their needs and that sometimes disturbes the balance of ecosystems.
• Water Pollution disturbes the balance of ecosystem when wastes and chemicals and oil get into rives, lakes, and the ocean killing many animals.
• Land Pollution- garbage, litter, and other things pollute the land. They are taken to landfills and covered with soil. The waste can be poisonous and can hurt the soil and plants.
• Air pollution-automobiles and factories release harmful chemicals into the air which hurts plants and animals.

Question 6

How do environments change?

Answer 6

• Environments change naturally over time slowly or very quickly.
• Natural disasters are rapid changes like hurricanes, floods, fires, and volcanoes.
• Rapid changes force animals to become extinct or leave the area.