(5-8) B1

Science Curriculum Preview Committee Clarification of Learning Results

Revised 04/08/04

5-8

B1: Describe in general terms the chemical processes of photosynthesis and respiration.

Curriculum Organizing Questions

What types of organisms need food?

What is so special about plants?

What happens during photosynthesis?

What happens during respiration?

Why must photosynthesis happen in order for respiration to happen?

What is "food"?

What types of energy changes take place during photosynthesis?

What types of energy changes take place during respiration?

Why do plants need oxygen?

What are some of the ways we can represent what happens during photosynthesis and respiration?

Why is water so important to organisms?

Elaboration
Energy entering ecosystems as sunlight is transferred by producers into chemical energy through photosynthesis. Plants use the energy from light to make sugars from carbon dioxide and water. The plants can then use this food immediately for fuel, or they can store it for later. Through the process of respiration food provides molecules that serve as fuel for all organisms. When sugars (food) are broken down, carbon dioxide and heat are released. Benchmarks

Specific Ideas
related to and within the performance indicator

The sun provides the primary source of energy for life on earth. NSES C5b (gr 9-12)

Plants make sugars from carbon dioxide and water using sunlight. Oxygen is given off as a by-product. Benchmarks 5E1

Plants use the sugars they make to provide energy for their life processes.

Plants can use the sugars created from photosynthesis immediately, or they may store them for later use. Benchmarks 5E1

Plants use some sugars to create more complex molecules to provide building blocks for plant tissues.

All organisms break down molecules for their energy through a process called respiration.

When organisms break down food for its energy during respiration they use oxygen; carbon dioxide, water, and heat are released as by-products.

If a plant (or any other organism) could not perform respiration, it would die.

Animals can not capture energy (like sunlight) to make food. Animals must eat plants or other animals to obtain molecules that contain energy (food). SFAA page 66

Energy can change from one form to another in organisms. Benchmarks 5E3

Developmental & Instructional Implications
Many students of all ages hold misconceptions about plants. They think that plants get their food from the environment, rather than manufacturing it internally, and that food for plants is taken in from the outside. These misconceptions are particularly resistant to change. There is an extensive discussion of the development of this concept in Making Sense of Secondary Science by Driver et al., pages 17-21.

Examples

Back to Big Ideas Grid B Back to Standard B Back to Index

Curriculum Organizing Questions	What types of organisms need food? What is so special about plants? What happens during photosynthesis? What happens during respiration? Why must photosynthesis happen in order for respiration to happen? What is "food"? What types of energy changes take place during photosynthesis? What types of energy changes take place during respiration? Why do plants need oxygen? What are some of the ways we can represent what happens during photosynthesis and respiration? Why is water so important to organisms?
Elaboration	Energy entering ecosystems as sunlight is transferred by producers into chemical energy through photosynthesis. Plants use the energy from light to make sugars from carbon dioxide and water. The plants can then use this food immediately for fuel, or they can store it for later. Through the process of respiration food provides molecules that serve as fuel for all organisms. When sugars (food) are broken down, carbon dioxide and heat are released. Benchmarks
Specific Ideas related to and within the performance indicator	The sun provides the primary source of energy for life on earth. NSES C5b (gr 9-12) Plants make sugars from carbon dioxide and water using sunlight. Oxygen is given off as a by-product. Benchmarks 5E1 Plants use the sugars they make to provide energy for their life processes. Plants can use the sugars created from photosynthesis immediately, or they may store them for later use. Benchmarks 5E1 Plants use some sugars to create more complex molecules to provide building blocks for plant tissues. All organisms break down molecules for their energy through a process called respiration. When organisms break down food for its energy during respiration they use oxygen; carbon dioxide, water, and heat are released as by-products. If a plant (or any other organism) could not perform respiration, it would die. Animals can not capture energy (like sunlight) to make food. Animals must eat plants or other animals to obtain molecules that contain energy (food). SFAA page 66 Energy can change from one form to another in organisms. Benchmarks 5E3
Developmental & Instructional Implications	Many students of all ages hold misconceptions about plants. They think that plants get their food from the environment, rather than manufacturing it internally, and that food for plants is taken in from the outside. These misconceptions are particularly resistant to change. There is an extensive discussion of the development of this concept in Making Sense of Secondary Science by Driver et al., pages 17-21.
Examples