New
New
Year 8

Interdependence within ecosystems

I can describe ways in which organisms are interdependent within ecosystems.

New
New
Year 8

Interdependence within ecosystems

I can describe ways in which organisms are interdependent within ecosystems.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Ecosystems are made up of a community of organisms that interact with each other and their non-living surroundings.
  2. Organisms in an ecosystem are interdependent because they depend upon each other for the things they need to survive.
  3. All organisms depend upon producers to make the food that moves through food chains.
  4. Dead organisms and remains of living organisms provide food for other organisms.
  5. All living organisms depend upon decomposers that break down dead organisms and recycle useful substances for reuse.

Common misconception

It is common to think that organisms, especially humans, can survive without other organisms.

This lesson highlights and explores the key concept that all living organisms are dependent upon other organisms for their survival.

Keywords

  • Ecosystem - An ecosystem is made up of all the living organisms in a place, interacting with each other and their non-living surroundings.

  • Interdependent - All organisms within an ecosystem are interdependent because they depend upon each other for the things they need to survive.

  • Producer - A producer is an organism that makes its own food.

  • Cellular respiration - Cellular respiration is a chemical process where food is used as a fuel to provide energy for life processes.

  • Decomposer - A decomposer is an organism that feeds on the remains of other living organisms.

It is easy to see examples of decomposers from leaf litter. Collect some leaves and take a sample onto a white tray. Pupils will be able to see a range of different organisms in the leaves and leaf mulch that have been collected. Pupils can use a key to help recap prior learning to identify species.
Teacher tip

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Supervision

Adult supervision recommended

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

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6 Questions

Q1.
True or false? A food chain shows the transfer of biomass.
An image in a quiz
Correct answer: True
False
Q2.
Which of the following are biotic factors?
water
Correct answer: plants
oxygen
Correct answer: invertebrates
Correct answer: fungi
Q3.
What do plants and animals need from their habitat?
light
carbon dioxide
Correct answer: space
Correct answer: water
Correct answer: food
Q4.
Organisms that consume other organisms are known as ...
An image in a quiz
Correct Answer: consumers, consumer
Q5.
What will happen if the cabbage population decreases?
An image in a quiz
there will be more caterpillars
Correct answer: there will be less caterpillars
Correct answer: there will be less lavender
there will be more lavender
Q6.
What will happen to the population of hawks if the grass population decreases?
An image in a quiz
Correct answer: the hawk population will decrease
the hawk population will increase
the hawk population will stay the same
Q5 UYSEG Q6 UYSEG

6 Questions

Q1.
An is made up of all the living organisms in a place, interacting with each other and their non-living surroundings.
Correct Answer: ecosystem, Ecosystem
Q2.
Which organism is a producer?
An image in a quiz
Correct answer: organism A
organism B
organism C
organism D
Q3.
Which of the following is a decomposer?
An image in a quiz
dead leaves
Correct answer: earthworm
hedgehog
fox
Q4.
Which of the following are correct?
Decomposers make food.
All organisms rely on consumers for food.
All food chains start with a consumer.
Correct answer: Organisms that feed on dead organisms or waste materials are called decomposers.
Correct answer: Energy is used for life processes.
Q5.
True or false? Bacteria and fungi are decomposers.
An image in a quiz
Correct answer: True
False
Q6.
All organisms within an ecosystem are because they depend upon each other for the things they need to survive.
Correct Answer: interdependent, Interdependent
Q2 UYSEG