Page 43 - Science Coursebook

2 End of unit questions

2.3 The photograph shows a fungus growing on horse dung (faeces).

a What name do we give to organisms like this fungus, that break down
organic matter? [1]
b Describe how the fungus breaks down the horse dung. [2]
c Explain why organisms that break down waste materials are important in
a habitat. [3]

2.4 The Serengeti Plains is a large area of grassland in Africa. The first graph shows
the amount of rainfall on the Serengeti Plains in each month during one year.
The second graph shows the mean height of the grass during the same year.

mean
amount
of rain height
of grass

J F M A M J J A S O N D J F M A M J J A S O N D
month month

a In which month did most rain fall? [1]
b Is there any correlation between the amount of rainfall and the height of the grass?
Explain your answer. [2]
Zebras are herbivores that eat grass. The graph below shows the size of the zebra
population during the same year.

size of
zebra
population

J F M A M J J A S O N D
month

c Using the information in the first two graphs, suggest reasons for the changes
in the zebra population during the year. [4]

2 Living things in their environment 41