Grade 4 Science Homework
Ms. Hawkins
Decomposers
A decomposer is a living thing that feeds on wastes and on the remains of dead plants
and animals. Decomposers break down wastes into nutrients, substances that are taken in
by living things to help them grow. These nutrients become part of the soil. Next, plants
take up the nutrients through their roots. Animals eat the plants. When plants and animals
die, decomposers break down their bodies into nutrients. This cycle is repeated again and
again.
Decomposers come in many shapes and sizes. Some are tiny bacteria that you can see
only with a microscope. Other decomposers are as big as mushrooms and earthworms.
Without decomposers, Earth would be covered with dead plants and animals. Instead,
decomposers turn wastes into nutrients. They allow living things to recycle nutrients.
Sow bugs – Sow bugs are related to lobsters. They help plant matter decay faster than it
would without them.
Millipedes – In the forest, millipedes chew up dead plant material. Like sow bugs,
millipedes aren’t insects.
0.
Bracket Fungus – The bracket fungus is one of a group of fungi that includes mushrooms.
Bracket fungi often grow on dead tree trunks and help them decay quickly.
Homework: Write your response on lined paper:
Main Idea and Details: Name two kinds of decomposers, and describe their role in
nature.
Hmk # 2-5