LS2.B: Cycles of Matter and Energy Transfer in Ecosystems (HS-LS2 Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy, and Dynamics)

LS2.B: Cycle of Matter and Energy Transfer in Ecosystems
• Photosynthesis and cellular respiration (including anaerobic processes) provide most of the energy for life processes. (HS-LS2-3)
• Plants or algae form the lowest level of the food web. At each link upward in a food web, only a small fraction of the matter consumed at the lower level is transferred upward, to produce growth and release energy in cellular respiration at the higher level. Given this inefficiency, there are generally fewer organisms at higher levels of a food web. Some matter reacts to release energy for life functions, some matter is stored in newly made structures, and much is discarded. The chemical elements that make up the molecules of organisms pass through food webs and into and out of the atmosphere and soil, and they are combined and recombined in different ways. At each link in an ecosystem, matter and energy are conserved. (HS-LS2-4)
• Photosynthesis and cellular respiration are important components of the carbon cycle, in which carbon is exchanged among the biosphere, atmosphere, oceans, and geosphere through chemical, physical, geological, and biological processes. (HS-LS2-5)

PS3.D: Energy in Chemical Processes
• The main way that solar energy is captured and stored on Earth is through the complex chemical process known as photosynthesis.(secondary)

Use the Template and Resource Links to Fulfill NGSS

l. Goals:

1. Understand that photosynthesis and cellular respiration (including anaerobic processes) provide most of the energy for life processes.
   
2. Understand that plants or algae form the lowest level of the food web. At each link upward in a food web, only a small fraction of the matter consumed at the lower level is transferred upward, to produce growth and release energy in cellular respiration at the higher level. Given this inefficiency, there are generally fewer organisms at higher levels of a food web. Some matter reacts to release energy for life functions, some matter is stored in newly made structures, and much is discarded. The chemical elements that make up the molecules of organisms pass through food webs and into and out of the atmosphere and soil, and they are combined and recombined in different ways. At each link in an ecosystem, matter and energy are conserved.
   
3. Understand that photosynthesis and cellular respiration are important components of the carbon cycle, in which carbon is exchanged among the biosphere, atmosphere, oceans, and geosphere through chemical, physical, geological, and biological processes.
4. Understand that the main way that solar energy is captured and stored on Earth is through the complex chemical process known as photosynthesis.

Essential Questions:

1. What provides most of the energy for life processes?
   
2. Why does there need to be so many more organisms at the lower levels of a food web?
3. Where does the carbon cycle come into play in the Earth's systems?

NGSS Note: Think, question, entertain ideas.

ll. Introductory Activities to Assess Prior Knowledge

A. Answer Questions - that assess students’ understanding of photosynthesis and cellular respiration as important components of the carbon cycle.

The Carbon Cycle - Short Answer Quiz

lll. New Knowledge - Text

A. Read about photosynthesis and cellular respiration as important components of the carbon cycle.

Breaking Down the Carbon Cycle

Read about: Cycles of Matter and Energy Transfer in Ecosystems

Read about: Photosynthesis

Read about: Cellular Respiration

B. Examples of Models (depicts the concept expressed in the reading):

Ask students to look at the models and explain how each illustrates the concepts they've read about.

A. Understanding how the Carbon Cycle works: 

The Carbon Cycle - Parts and Processes Quiz

Cycles of Matter and Energy Transfer in Ecosystems - Short Answer Quiz

Biomass Performance Task - Cycling of Matter and Flow of Energy Among Organisms in an Ecosystem

B. Authentic Performance - Understanding by Design (UbD) assessment tool.
Use critical thinking to complete thse Authentic Performance Activities and deepen your understanding about the above topics.

The Meat Industry - Authentic Performance - Cycles of Matter and Energy Transfer in Ecosystems