SOLUTION: Ecology review worksheet 2 - Studypool - Free Printable

Explanation:
Let’s go through each question carefully and check if the answers are correct based on ecology basics.

1. *All ecosystems are made up of ________ and ________ components.*
✔ Correct: living and nonliving — ecosystems include biotic (living) and abiotic (nonliving) parts.

2. *________ factors are living things, such as ________ or ________.*
✔ Correct: biotic, animals, plants — biotic = living; animals and plants are classic examples.

3. *________ factors are nonliving things, such as wind, ________, or ________.*
✔ Correct: Abiotic, temperature, moisture (or water). Wind, temperature, and moisture are all abiotic.

4. *________ are organisms that get their energy from ________ resources, meaning they make their own food. These organisms are also called ________.*
✔ Correct: Autotrophs, nonliving, producers — autotrophs (like plants) use sunlight (nonliving) to make food → producers.

5. *________ are organisms that get their energy by ________ other organisms. These organisms are also called ________.*
✔ Correct: heterotrophs, eating, consumers.

6. *Why are producers so important to an ecosystem?*
✔ Answer: *they are the base of the food chain* — correct. Without producers, no energy enters the ecosystem for others.

Now the second section (food chain roles):

7. *I eat only plants. I am a(n) ________.*
✘ The student wrote Omnivore, but that’s wrong.
→ Eating only plants = herbivore.
Omnivores eat both plants *and* animals.

8. *I eat only other animals. I am a(n) ________.*
✘ Student left blank, but answer should be: carnivore.

9. *I eat both plants and animals. I am a(n) ________.*
✔ Student wrote Herbivore — that’s incorrect.
→ Eating both = omnivore.

10. *I eat dead organic matter. I am a(n) ________.*
✔ Student wrote Detritivore — this is *partially* correct, but let’s be precise:
- Detritivores eat dead organic matter (e.g., earthworms, beetles).
- Decomposers (like fungi, bacteria) break it down chemically.
The description “I eat dead organic matter” fits detritivore better than decomposer. So ✔ acceptable.

11. *I break down organic matter into simpler compounds. I am a(n) ________.*
✔ Student wrote Decomposer - correct.

So the errors are in:
- Q7: Should be herbivore, not omnivore.
- Q8: Should be carnivore.
- Q9: Should be omnivore, not herbivore.

Let’s fix them:

7. herbivore
8. carnivore
9. omnivore
10. detritivore
11. decomposer

Also note: In Q4, “nonliving resources” is okay (referring to sunlight, CO₂, water, etc.), though sometimes phrased as “inorganic” or “abiotic” — but it's acceptable here.

Final corrections needed for the worksheet:

Q7: herbivore
Q8: carnivore
Q9: omnivore

All other answers are correct.

Final Answer:
7. herbivore
8. carnivore
9. omnivore
10. detritivore
11. decomposer