Organisms and Environment - Interdependence Flashcards Preview

5th Grade Science > Organisms and Environment - Interdependence > Flashcards

Flashcards in Organisms and Environment - Interdependence Deck (19)
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1
Q

basic needs

A

what living things MUST have to survive.

The basic needs for animals are food, water, shelter and air. The basic needs for plants are sunlight, water, soil and air.

2
Q

ecosystem

A

All the living and non-living things in an area.

In a desert ecosystem, you might find rocks, sand, sunlight, air and water; which are non-living and lizards, birds, cacti, and insects which are living.

3
Q

living organism

A

anything that eats, grows, reproduces and dies.

All plants and animals are living organisms.

4
Q

non-living things

A

Anything that is not or never was alive.

Rocks, air, sunlight and water are non-living things.

5
Q

producers

A

plants

Plants produce, or make, their own food; that is why we call them producers.

6
Q

consumers

A

anything that has to eat another living thing for food.

Animals are consumers. There are different kinds of consumers that are classified by what they eat.

7
Q

decomposers

A

an organism that breaks down dead matter returning nutrients to the soil.

Mushrooms, rolly polies, earthworms and bacteria are common decomposers.

8
Q

herbivores

A

organisms that eat ONLY plants.

Cows, deer, rabbits, some birds and some fish are just a few examples of herbivores.

9
Q

carnivores

A

organisms that eat ONLY other animals.

Lions, owls, hawks and some fish are just a few examples of carnivores.

10
Q

omnivores

A

organisms that eat BOTH plants and animals.

Humans, chickens, dogs, and some fish and birds are just a few examples of omnivores.

11
Q

scavengers

A

organisms that eat dead animals.

Vultures and buzzards are two examples of scavengers.

12
Q

predator

A

an organism that hunts and kills its prey(food)

Carnivores and omnivores are predators - they must hunt and kill their food.

13
Q

prey

A

an animal that is hunted and eaten by another animal.

A snake is a predator and its prey is a mouse.

14
Q

food chain

A

a system that shows the flow of energy through an environment.

Sun, grass, mouse, snake, hawk is an example of a food chain.

15
Q

food web

A

An interconnected relationship of multiple, overlapping food chains in an ecosystem.

Food webs begin with the sun but have many paths for the energy to flow.

16
Q

pollution

A

waste or trash that harms the air, land or water.

Pollution is caused by people adding trash or smoke to the environment.

17
Q

grazers

A

herbivores that eat plants (usually grass) constantly.

Cows graze on grass all day long.

18
Q

photosynthesis

A

The process where plants use light to make their own food.

Green plants use sunlight, water, nutrients, and carbon dioxide in photosynthesis to produce glucose for energy.

19
Q

carbon dioxide - oxygen cycle

A

The exchange of gases between plants and animals.

Plants give off oxygen during photosynthesis and animals give off carbon dioxide during respiration (breathing)