Question

1. explore: use the gizmo to test if mushrooms feed on living things. describe your trials and results in your notebook or on the back of this sheet. what did you find? 2. form hypothesis: how do mushrooms get their food? 3. predict: based on your hypothesis, how will the mushroom population change when other organisms are added to the forest? fill in the middle column below with your predictions. change predicted effect on mushroom population actual effect on mushroom population trees added deer added bears added 4. classify: do your experiments suggest that mushrooms are decomposers (organisms that break organic matter down to simpler, inorganic matter)? explain. 5. extend: if mushrooms were producers, how would your results in question 3 have been different?

Explanation:

Step1: Test if mushrooms feed on living things

Use the Gizmo to place living organisms near mushrooms and observe if mushrooms consume them. Results may show mushrooms do not directly feed on living things as they are decomposers.

Step2: Form hypothesis

A possible hypothesis could be that mushrooms get their food by breaking down dead organic matter.

Step3: Make predictions

• Trees added: Mushrooms might benefit as more dead - wood and fallen leaves (organic matter) could be available for decomposition, so the population may increase.
• Deer added: If deer do not eat mushrooms or have no significant impact on the organic matter mushrooms rely on, the population may remain the same. If deer trample on mushrooms or eat them, the population may decrease.
• Bears added: Similar to deer, if bears do not interact with mushrooms or their food source, no change. If bears eat mushrooms or disrupt their habitat, population may decrease.

Step4: Classify

Mushrooms are decomposers. In experiments, they likely break down dead material rather than directly consuming living organisms. They secrete enzymes to break down organic matter outside their bodies and then absorb the nutrients.

Step5: Extend

If mushrooms were producers, they would make their own food through photosynthesis. Adding trees would likely have little direct impact as they are not a food source for mushroom - producers. Adding deer and bears may decrease the population if they eat the mushroom - producers.

Answer:

1. Trials and results will vary based on Gizmo use. But generally, mushrooms do not directly feed on living things.
2. Hypothesis: Mushrooms get their food by breaking down dead organic matter.

3.

• Trees added: Predicted effect - may increase; Actual effect - depends on Gizmo results.
• Deer added: Predicted effect - may remain same or decrease; Actual effect - depends on Gizmo results.
• Bears added: Predicted effect - may remain same or decrease; Actual effect - depends on Gizmo results.

1. Mushrooms are decomposers as they break down organic matter.
2. If mushrooms were producers, adding trees would have little direct impact, and adding deer and bears may decrease the population.