Exploring Benthos: Life at the Bottom of the Sea
A worksheet for Grade 4 science students to learn about benthos, the organisms that live on or in the seafloor, their habitats, and adaptations.
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Exploring Benthos: Life at the Bottom of the Sea
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Read each question carefully and answer to the best of your ability. Some questions may ask you to think about how living things adapt to their environment.
What are Benthos?
Benthos are organisms that live on, in, or near the bottom of a sea, lake, or river. They are an important part of the aquatic ecosystem. These creatures can be very different from the animals that swim in the open water.
1. Where do benthic organisms live?
Floating on the surface of the water
Swimming in the middle of the water
On or in the bottom of a body of water
On land near the water's edge
2. Which of these is NOT a type of body of water where benthos can be found?
Ocean
Lake
River
Desert
3. Organisms that live on the surface of the seafloor are called .
4. Organisms that live buried in the seafloor are called .
5. A common example of a benthic animal that lives in the sand is a .
6. Benthic organisms do not need to adapt to strong currents.
True
False
7. Some benthic animals can filter food from the water.
True
False
8. Name two types of animals that are considered benthos.
9. How might living on the bottom of the ocean be different from living near the surface?