Name _____
KEY_______________________
Cycling of Matter
Date _________
Period ______
(7.5B)
Directions: Using the stations, write the vocabulary word, the definition then
draw an illustration representing the definition in the table below.
Vocabulary Word
Biomass
Definition
Material from living or
recently living organisms
composed of a mixture of
organic molecules
containing hydrogen,
carbon often nitrogen
and small quantities of
other atoms.
Compost Bin
A container that holds
organic matter while it is
decomposed by fungi and
bacteria, converting it
into soil.
Decay
The natural process or
result of being slowly
broken down or
decomposed, chiefly by
bacteria and fungi.
Illustration
Name _____
KEY_______________________
Cycling of Matter
Decomposers
Bacteria
Fungi
Microorganisms
Date _________
(7.5B)
Organisms such as
bacteria and fungi that
break down the remains
of dead plants and
animals, without need for
internal digestion.
Microorganisms
important as
decomposers; widely
distributed and can
break down just about
any type of organic
matter.
Microorganisms
important as
decomposers; widely
distributed and can
break down just about
any type of organic
matter,
Organisms too small to
be seen by the unaided
human eye, such as
bacteria and fungi.
Period ______
Name _____
KEY_______________________
Cycling of Matter
Detritivore
Water Cycle
Carbon Cycle
Nitrogen Cycle
Date _________
(7.5B)
An organism that feeds
on and breaks down
dead plant or animals
matter; includes
decomposers (bacteria
and fungi) as well as
larger organisms such as
insects and worms,
serving as primary
consumers in a food
chain.
The movement of water
through the atmosphere,
the ground, bodies of
water and living things;
the continuous
movement of water
above, on, and below the
Earth’s surface.
The cycle by which
carbon is exchanged
among the soil,
biosphere, lithosphere,
hydrosphere and
atmosphere of the Earth.
The process by which
nitrogen is converted
between its various
chemical forms as it is
exchanged among the
soil, biosphere,
lithosphere and the
atmosphere of the Earth.
(bacteria)
Period ______