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Name: _______________
Investigation 3 “Aquatic Environments” Study Guide
Please review the Investigation 3 readings: Fresh Water Environment, What Is An Ecosystem?,
Monterey Bay Marine Sanctuary, and Summary: Aquatic Environments, as well as the relevant
worksheets, Big Ideas and vocabulary to help you prepare for the exam. This test is worth 23
points.
1. What role do decomposers and producers play in an ecosystem? Why do they need each
other in an ecosystem?
Decomposers eat dead animals and plants and then recycle them to the
environment.
Producers make food using sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide. When a
producer dies, the decomposer eats the producer.
2. What are the main ingredients needed for producers to make their own food?
Water, sunlight, and carbon dioxide (CO2)
3. What role does the Sun play in food?
Helps plants (producer) grow and produce food. Animals then eat the
plants (producers) and also eat organisms that eat plants.
4. What is an example of producer in the Monterey Bay?
Algae.
5. Is a bear an omnivore, carnivore, or a producer? Why?
Omnivore – eats both plants and animals
6. You will be asked to look at a food web to determine what type of food an animal added
to the food chain will compete for?
7. You will be asked to list all of the environmental factors of either a saltwater aquarium or
a freshwater aquarium. You will be provided with a picture of the tank and you will know
4th Grade
Environments
Investigation 3
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if the tank is either a saltwater tank or a freshwater tank. (Remember to include all the
living and nonliving factors.)
Non-Living
-Pebbles/rocks
-Water
-Plastic decoration
-Sunlight/Light
-Temperature
-Glass container
-Air
-Coral
-Left over shells
Living
-Fish
-Snails
-Anemone
-Algae/Seaweed
a. You will be asked to mark and L next to the living factors that you listed above.
b. You will be asked to describe at least two of the nonliving factors in saltwater or
freshwater environment.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
4th Grade
Light – is needed for producers to grow.
Water to breathe.
Shells for hiding.
Container to hold everything.
Temperature – They need to have the right temperature or they will
die.
Environments
Investigation 3