The Food Chain

By: Erica SealsNovember 1, 2009

Standard: 6.4.10◦Describe how life on earth depends on energy

from the sun.

Taken from: http://dc.doe.in.gov/Standards/AcademicStandards/StandardSearch.aspx

Link to Activity: http://www.mysciencebox.org/foodchain/lesson

Definitions Food Chain: a succession of organisms in an ecological

community that constitutes a continuation of food energy from one organism to another as each consumes a lower member and in turn is preyed upon by a higher member.

Food Energy: the amount of energy in food that is available through digestion.

Organism: an individual form of life, such as a plant or animal.

Producer: makes own food, includes green plants.

Definitions Continued

Consumer: every organism that eats something else. Decomposer: bacteria and fungi that convert dead matter

into gases such as carbon and nitrogen to be released back into the air, soil, or water.

Process: a series of actions, changes, or functions bringing about a result.

Photosynthesis: the process of converting light energy to chemical energy and storing it in the bonds of

sugar.

Background Information:

Energy is one of the basic requirements for all living things. Indeed, much of what we call “living” centers around

obtaining food. We use food as an energy source as well as a source of materials with which to make and repair our

bodies. Even plants need energy. Green plants convert and store energy from the sun in the process of photosynthesis.

Based on what we learned last week about photosynthesis, describe what is happening in this picture.

Use the captions to explain in detail how the sun, clouds, and trees work together to produce food for consumers.

techalive.mtu.edu/.../images/photosynthesis.jpg

Test your knowledge

2. Which animals are affected by an animal becoming extinct?

A. All animals are affectedB. No animals are affectedC. Mammals are affectedD. Fish are affected

Answer

2. Which animals are affected by an animal becoming extinct?

A. All animals are affectedB. No animals are affectedC. Mammals are affectedD. Fish are affected

Materials

Cut-outs:SunProducers ConsumersDecomposers

PaperGlue Crayons/Pencils

(All of these items are available in the food chain kit which is provided by your teacher.)

ActivityUse the provided cut-outs and materials to create two

food chains. ◦ There may be extra cut outs.

Paste the cut-outs onto the blank piece of paper.◦ Always start with the sun.

Identify each cut-out. Label each as the sun, producer, consumer, or decomposer.

Explain each step in your food chain.(grass is eaten by grasshoppers...which are eaten by a lizard…which is eaten by a fox…which dies…and is consumed by insects and bacteria)

Extension Activity

Using a blank piece of paper, create your own food chain. ◦See how long you can make it.

You may need to research different plants and animals in order to make a very long and accurate food chain.

Describe what would happen if one plant or animal became extinct. How would the food chain be affected?

Resources

http://www.kidport.com/grade4/science/foodchain.htm

http://www.mysciencebox.org/foodchain/lesson

http://dc.doe.in.gov/Standards/AcademicStandards/StandardSearch.aspx

http://biology.clc.uc.edu/Courses/bio104/photosyn.htm

http://www.techalive.mtu.edu/.../images/photosynthesis.jpg