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Grade 7 Science
Cluster 1: Interactions Within Ecosystems
7. What is a food chain? A food chain is a sequence of feeding relationships among living
organisms, as they pass on food energy. The food chain always begins with a plant. Plants
are called producers because they produce food for themselves and other organisms.
Other organisms that eat the plants are called consumers. Some consumers eat only
plants. These are called herbivores or primary consumers because they are the first
consumers to eat something else on the food chain. Some consumers eat only other
consumers or animals. These are called carnivores. If a carnivore eats only herbivores it
is called a secondary consumer. If a carnivore eats other carnivores, it is called a tertiary
consumer. Some consumers, such as humans eat both plants and animals. They are called
omnivores. An example of a food chain is shown below:
grass grasshopper robin - domestic cat
Grade 7 Science
Cluster 1: Interactions Within Ecosystems
10. What is bioaccumulation? When an animal eats another animal as part of the food
chain, it can sometimes be affected by poisons from the animal being eaten. If a hawk
eats a shrew that has been feeding on grasshoppers that have been feeding on crops
sprayed with DDT, then the poison can be passed all the way
up to the hawk. The hawks body will try to get rid of the
poison, but sometimes it can not get rid of it as quickly as it
should and the poison accumulates in its body. This is called
bioaccumulation. Pollutants from a factory can end up in
water and affect fish as the poison accumulates in the fishs
bodies.
11. What are scavengers? A scavenger is an organism that eats dead or decaying plant or
animal matter. Carrion beetles and ravens are examples of scavengers.
Grade 7 Science
Cluster 1: Interactions Within Ecosystems
13. What is photosynthesis? Photosynthesis is the process by which plants make their
own food by
using
sunlight.
Photosynthesis: water + carbon dioxide + light energy = sugar + oxygen in the presence of chlorophyll.
14. What is cellular respiration? Living things release the energy that is stored in their
food (in the form of sugars) through a process called cellular respiration. The sugars
(stored energy) are combined with oxygen to release the energy and give off carbon
dioxide as a bi-product. Photosynthesis and cellular respiration are part of the cycling of
matter and the transfer of energy in ecosystems.
Cellular respiration: sugar + oxygen = water + carbon dioxide + energy.
15. What is symbiosis? Symbiosis is when two species live closely together in a
relationship that lasts over time. There are three main types of symbiotic relationships,
parasitism, mutualism and commensalism.
Grade 7 Science
Cluster 1: Interactions Within Ecosystems