Chapter 1
Earth Science
Course: Elementary Education Multiple Subjects 5001
Subject: Elementary Education Science Subtest 5005
Chapter: Life Science
1. Ecosystems
An ecosystem is a system made up of living and non-living components that interact with each other. Ecosystems are defined by the flow of energy (from the sun to producers and consumers) and the cycling of nutrients (like carbon, nitrogen, and water).
Biotic factors (living components):
- Plants (producers)
- Animals (herbivores, carnivores, omnivores)
- Fungi (decomposers)
- Bacteria (decomposers and nitrogen fixers)
- Protists (aquatic microbes and algae)
Abiotic factors (non-living components):
- Sunlight (energy source for photosynthesis)
- Water (used in metabolism and photosynthesis)
- Soil and nutrients (affect plant growth)
- Temperature and climate (influence organism survival)
- Air (oxygen and carbon dioxide for respiration and photosynthesis)
Examples of ecosystems:
- Forests: Trees, squirrels, fungi, birds, insects
- Oceans: Fish, seaweed, coral, plankton, saltwater
- Deserts: Cacti, reptiles, sandy soil, limited water
- Ponds: Algae, frogs, insects, turtles, aquatic plants
- Grasslands: Grasses, antelope, wolves, birds, seasonal rain