Decomposers like mushrooms, worms and bugs play an important role in decay and decomposition by breaking down dead organisms and converting them into soil. For decay to occur, certain conditions need to be present including warmth, moisture and oxygen. Without decomposers, dead organisms would accumulate and the world would be covered in remains rather than recycled into dirt.

1. Decay and decomposition Will know what conditions suit decay Will know what causes it

2. What happens when an animal dies and no one notices?

3. An organism is ….. Any independent living thing Can be as small as a single celled bacteria Or as large as a whale!

4. And the small microbes are very important.

5. Decomposers Decomposers eat dead things and turn them back into dirt, or soil. YUK! Examples: Mushrooms Worms Bugs

7. What would the world look like without decomposers (bacteria and fungi?)

8. How they relate .

10. What conditions are needed for decay?

11. What conditions are needed for decay? Warmth Moisture Oxygen