Photosynthesis & Food: Proficiency Scale

This scale helps you understand your progress in explaining photosynthesis and how organisms use food for energy and growth.

4 - Expert: I can teach this!

• Photosynthesis (7.LS1.6): I can construct a detailed scientific explanation, supported by clear evidence, demonstrating how photosynthesis cycles matter (e.g., carbon dioxide, water, glucose, oxygen) and flows energy into and out of organisms. I can accurately trace the movement of these specific matter components and the energy transformations (light to chemical energy) involved.
• Food Rearrangement (7.LS1.7): I can develop a comprehensive model that clearly describes how food molecules are broken apart and rearranged through chemical reactions to form new molecules, explaining precisely how this process supports organism growth and releases energy as matter moves through the organism.

3 - Proficient: I've got this!

• Photosynthesis (7.LS1.6): I can construct a scientific explanation based on evidence for the role of photosynthesis in the cycling of matter and flow of energy into and out of organisms. I can trace the general movement of matter and flow of energy.
• Food Rearrangement (7.LS1.7): I can develop a model to describe how food is rearranged through chemical reactions forming new molecules that support growth and/or release energy as this matter moves through an organism. I understand that molecules are broken apart and put back together, and energy is released.

2 - Developing: I'm getting there!

• Photosynthesis (7.LS1.6): I can partially construct an explanation of photosynthesis, recognizing that it involves matter cycling and energy flow, but my explanation may lack specific evidence or a clear trace of matter/energy.
• Food Rearrangement (7.LS1.7): I can identify that food is changed within an organism and that it relates to growth or energy, but my model might not clearly show the chemical reactions or the formation of new molecules.

1 - Beginning: I need help!

• Photosynthesis (7.LS1.6): I struggle to explain the basic role of photosynthesis or understand its connection to matter and energy.
• Food Rearrangement (7.LS1.7): I have difficulty describing how organisms use food or how it changes within them.

Photosynthesis & Food: Your Understanding

Directions: Answer the following questions using complete sentences. Use diagrams or drawings if they help explain your answer.

Part 1: Photosynthesis - The Plant's Powerhouse (7.LS1.6)

1. In your own words, what is photosynthesis? What are the key ingredients plants need for this process, and what do they produce?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

2. Explain how matter (like carbon dioxide, water, and oxygen) moves into, through, and out of a plant during photosynthesis. How does energy from the sun become part of the plant?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

Part 2: Food for Growth and Energy (7.LS1.7)

3. Imagine you eat an apple. Describe what happens to the food molecules from that apple inside your body to help you grow. How are they changed?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

4. Using an example (like running or thinking), explain how your body gets energy from the food you eat. What happens to the food molecules to release this energy?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

Photosynthesis & Food: Answer Key

Part 1: Photosynthesis - The Plant's Powerhouse (7.LS1.6)

1. In your own words, what is photosynthesis? What are the key ingredients plants need for this process, and what do they produce?

   • Thought Process: Students should define photosynthesis as the process where plants make their own food. They need to recall the inputs (sunlight, carbon dioxide, water) and outputs (glucose/sugar, oxygen).
   • Answer: Photosynthesis is the process by which green plants and some other organisms use sunlight to synthesize foods from carbon dioxide and water. The key ingredients are sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water. They produce glucose (a type of sugar, which is their food) and oxygen.

2. Explain how matter (like carbon dioxide, water, and oxygen) moves into, through, and out of a plant during photosynthesis. How does energy from the sun become part of the plant?

   • Thought Process: This question focuses on tracing matter and energy. Students should describe CO2 entering, water entering, their transformation into glucose and O2, and O2 exiting. They must also explain light energy converting to chemical energy.
   • Answer: During photosynthesis, carbon dioxide (matter) enters the plant from the air through small pores in the leaves, and water (matter) is absorbed by the roots and transported to the leaves. Inside the plant, these molecules are rearranged using energy from the sun. The atoms from carbon dioxide and water are put back together to form new molecules: glucose (the plant's food) and oxygen. The oxygen (matter) is then released back into the air. Energy from the sun is captured by chlorophyll in the plant and converted into chemical energy, which is then stored in the bonds of the newly formed glucose molecules, making it part of the plant.

Part 2: Food for Growth and Energy (7.LS1.7)

3. Imagine you eat an apple. Describe what happens to the food molecules from that apple inside your body to help you grow. How are they changed?

   • Thought Process: Students need to explain the concept of food molecules being broken down and rearranged for growth. They should mention that the body takes the building blocks.
   • Answer: When you eat an apple, the large food molecules (like sugars) are broken down into smaller, simpler molecules through chemical reactions in your digestive system. These smaller molecules are then absorbed into your body. Your body then rearranges these simpler molecules, like tiny building blocks, to create new, larger molecules that it needs for growth. For example, some might be rearranged into proteins to build muscle or repair cells, allowing you to grow and maintain your body.

4. Using an example (like running or thinking), explain how your body gets energy from the food you eat. What happens to the food molecules to release this energy?

   • Thought Process: This question focuses on energy release from food. Students should explain that breaking bonds in molecules releases energy.
   • Answer: Your body gets energy from the food you eat when food molecules are broken apart during chemical reactions, often with oxygen, in your cells. For example, when you run, your muscle cells need energy. They take molecules like glucose (from the apple) and break them down. When the chemical bonds in these food molecules are broken, energy is released. This released energy is then used to power activities like muscle contraction (for running), thinking, keeping warm, or even just breathing.