Cambridge Secondary (7-9). Stage 8. MCE Science. Student Book - Unit 3: Ecosystems

Bees are pollinators, which means that they carry pollen from one flower to another. There are other organisms that help with the pollination of plants. Can you name a few?

What would happen if plants did not get pollinated?

What effect would that have on some ecosystems?

How might this affect humans?

How can we ensure that there are enough bees in the ecosystems that we depend on for food?

What happens when an organism in an ecosystem changes or disappears?

Think of an example and share it with the class.

When an organism in an ecosystem changes or disappears: Does this have an effect on the other organisms?

Think of an example and share it with the class.

Work in pairs.

Choose an organism that lives in your local area. Name and describe its habitat. Find out what other organisms and what non-living factors affect your chosen organism.

Work in pairs.

Describe how your chosen organism survives in its habitat. For example, think about the resources that it needs to obtain.

Work in pairs.

Identify some other organisms that live in the same ecosystem. Explain how these organisms interact with your chosen organism.

You may use the Internet or other sources of information to help you. Based on your findings, prepare a card with some brief information about your chosen organism. Share the information on your card with your class.

Look at Figure 3.9. Could a dolphin live in the desert or in the forest?

Look at Figure 3.9. Could a forest monkey live in a river or an ocean?

What adaptations does a forest monkey have for living in the forest?

What adaptations does a dolphin have for living in the ocean?

In small groups, think of some other animals in the wild.

What habitats do they live in?

In small groups, think of some other animals in the wild.

What adaptations make it possible for them to live there?

Some scientists think of the whole planet as an ecosystem. What evidence supports this? Think of the ways different parts of the planet interact.

What is an ecosystem?

What is a habitat?