Ecosystems

5th Grade Science

A system…

…is a set of interconnected components that work together to form a complex whole, maintaining a balance and functioning as a cohesive unit.

An ecosystem…

…is a biological community of interacting organisms and their physical environment, functioning together as a unit.

A food chain/food web…

…is a series of interconnected pathways that illustrate the flow of energy and nutrients through a biological community, showing how different organisms depend on one another for food.

All energy comes from…

…the primary source of energy for nearly all ecosystems is the sun, which provides solar energy that is harnessed by plants through photosynthesis.

Interdependence…

…is the relationship among organisms in an ecosystem where each species relies on others for survival, food, and resources.

Some common pollutants…

…include chemicals, waste, noise, and light that adversely affect the environment and organisms in an ecosystem.

When pollutants enter the ecosystem…

…they can disrupt natural processes, harm organisms, and lead to a degradation of the environment, affecting biodiversity and overall ecosystem health.

We can limit pollutants by…

…reducing waste, recycling, using sustainable products, and implementing regulations to control emissions and discharges into the environment.

An engineer is…

…a professional who applies scientific and mathematical principles to design, develop, and analyze solutions to technical problems in various fields.

Pollution is…

…the introduction of harmful substances or contaminants into the environment that can cause adverse effects on ecosystems and organisms.

A watershed is…

…an area of land where all the water that falls collects and drains into a common waterbody, such as a river, lake, or ocean. It plays a crucial role in the hydrological cycle and is essential for managing water resources.

The water cycle is…

…the continuous movement of water through evaporation, condensation, precipitation, and infiltration, which redistributes water within the environment.

Evaporation is…

…the process by which water changes from a liquid to a gas or vapor, primarily due to heat from the sun.

Photosynthesis is…

…the process by which green plants, algae, and some bacteria convert light energy into chemical energy, using sunlight to synthesize foods with carbon dioxide and water. It produces glucose and oxygen.

Plants are green because of…

…chlorophyll, a green pigment in plant cells that absorbs sunlight.

Photosynthesis occurs…

…in the chloroplasts of plant cells, where light energy is converted into chemical energy. This process happens mainly in the leaves, where chlorophyll is concentrated.

Condensation is…

…the process by which water vapor cools and changes into liquid water, often leading to the formation of clouds or precipitation. This occurs when air is cooled to its dew point, resulting in the condensation of water vapor into droplets.

Precipitation is…

…any form of water, liquid or solid, that falls from the atmosphere to the Earth's surface, including rain, snow, sleet, and hail.

Ground water is…

…the water that fills the cracks and spaces in underground soil and rock layers. It is a vital source of fresh water for drinking, irrigation, and other uses.

Runoff is…

…the water from rain or melted snow that flows over the ground and eventually enters rivers, lakes, or oceans. It plays a crucial role in the water cycle and can carry nutrients, pollutants, and sediments with it.

Collection/accumulation is…

…the process by which precipitation gathers in various bodies of water, such as rivers, lakes, or oceans, after falling to the Earth's surface. This stage is an essential part of the water cycle, highlighting how water is stored and later used by ecosystems.

Transpiration is…

…the process by which water is absorbed by plant roots, moves through plants, and is released as water vapor into the atmosphere through small openings in leaves called stomata. This process helps regulate water levels in ecosystems and contributes to the water cycle.

The majority kind of water on earth is…

…is saltwater, which makes up about 97% of the planet's total water supply, found primarily in oceans.

The second most type of water on earth is…

…freshwater, which constitutes about 2.5% of the total water supply, primarily found in glaciers, ice caps, and fresh bodies of water like lakes and rivers.

The scarcest type of water on earth is…

…accessible freshwater, which accounts for only about 1% of the planet's total water supply. This includes water found in rivers, lakes, and underground aquifers.

A producer is…

…an organism that creates its own food through photosynthesis or chemosynthesis, serving as the foundation of the food chain in an ecosystem.

A consumer is…

…an organism that obtains energy by feeding on other organisms, including plants and animals, thereby playing a crucial role in the food web of an ecosystem.

A decomposer is…

…an organism that breaks down dead organic matter and recycles nutrients back into the ecosystem, essential for nutrient cycling and soil health.

A carnivore is…

…an organism that primarily feeds on other animals. They play a key role in controlling prey populations and maintaining the balance within their ecosystems.

A herbivore is…

…an organism that primarily feeds on plants. They are vital for plant population control and serve as a primary food source for carnivores in the ecosystem.

A scavenger is…

…an organism that feeds on dead or decaying organic matter, helping to decompose and recycle nutrients back into the ecosystem.

A predator is…

…an organism that hunts and kills other animals for food. They are essential for regulating prey populations and contribute to ecosystem stability.

Prey are…

…organisms that are hunted and eaten by predators. They are a crucial component of the food web, providing energy for higher trophic levels.