Food Webs 5-LS2-1

Grade 5 - NGSS - CA

The biogeochemical cycle by which carbon is exchanged among the Earth's spheres

Carbon cycle

The biogeochemical cycle by which carbon is exchanged among the Earth's spheres. Carbon cycle. The carbon cycle is the way carbon moves through the air, plants, animals, and the ground.

Unlike a plant, cannot make its own food, instead it eats other living things

Consumer

Unlike a plant, cannot make its own food, instead it eats other living things. Consumer. A consumer is a living thing that eats plants or other animals to get the energy it needs to live.

An organism that breaks down dead organisms and waste, like fungi or bacteria

Decomposer

An organism that breaks down dead organisms and waste, like fungi or bacteria, is called a decomposer. Decomposers help recycle nutrients back into the soil, which helps plants grow.

The food energy transfer between organisms in an ecosystem

Food chain

The food energy transfer between organisms in an ecosystem. Food chain. A food chain shows how each living thing gets its food.

A model of overlapping food chains in an ecosystem

Food web

A model of overlapping food chains in an ecosystem. Food web. A food web is a diagram that shows how different plants and animals in an ecosystem are connected through what they eat and who eats them.

A substance that an organism needs to live, like water or minerals

Nutrient

A substance that an organism needs to live, like water or minerals. Nutrient. In simple terms, a nutrient is something that helps plants and animals grow and stay healthy.

Organism that can make its own food, like all plants

Producer

Organism that can make its own food, like all plants. Producer. A producer is a living thing, like a plant, that uses sunlight to make its own food.

A step in the food chain or food web

Trophic level

A step in the food chain or food web trophic level. A trophic level is the position an organism occupies in a food chain, like a plant, herbivore, or predator.