1. Biodiversity is the variety of life at all levels of biological organization, including genetic diversity, species diversity, and ecosystem diversity.
2. More species of organisms included in an ecosystem generally make the ecosystem more stable because greater biodiversity increases resilience to disturbances and provides more functional redundancy.
3. a. Another name for “producers” is autotrophs.
b. Examples of producers: grass, trees, algae, phytoplankton.
4. The term Mufasa uses is “balance of nature” or “circle of life.”
5. This statement is incorrect because grass is a producer (autotroph) that makes its own food via photosynthesis; animals eat grass to obtain energy, not to get “food for the grass.”
6. a. Another name for “consumers” is heterotrophs.
b. i. herbivore example: deer, rabbit, zebra
ii. carnivore example: lion, wolf, hawk
iii. omnivore example: bear, human, raccoon
iv. The 3 hyena scavengers: Shenzi, Banzai, Ed.
7. Example of competition: Scar and Mufasa competing for dominance as kings of the Pride Lands.
8. Example of predator/prey situation: Lions hunting antelope or zebras.
9. The quote is incorrect because hyenas are not strictly at the bottom of the food chain; they are apex predators and scavengers who often compete with lions and consume large prey, placing them high in the food web.
10. Vultures are scavengers. They eat carrion — dead animals such as wildebeest, zebras, or other animals killed in stampedes or by predators.
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of the lion king worksheet.
