ESSENTIAL ENERGYLauren BanksEducation 373

September 15, 2009

SCIENCE STANDARD 4: The Living Environment

4.4.4 – Observe and describe that some source of energy is needed for all organisms to stay alive and grow.

• Taken from: http://dc.doe.in.gov/Standards/AcademicStandards/StandardSearch.aspx

• Link to activity:http://www.indianastandardsresources.org/files/sci/sci_4_4_4.pdf

Definitions BASIC NEEDS: necessity of survival

PHOTOSYNTHESIS: the process in green plants and certain other organisms by which carbohydrates are synthesized from carbon dioxide and water using light as an energy source. Most forms of photosynthesis release oxygen as a byproduct.

OBSERVATIONS: the act of noting and recording something

ESSENTIAL: vitally important; absolutely necessary

ENERGY: the capacity or power to do work

Taken from: www.thefreedictionary.com

Background InformationThe leaf is the primary site of photosynthesis in plants. Photosynthesis (photo=light, synthesis=putting together), generally, is the synthesis of sugar from light, carbon dioxide and water, with oxygen as a waste product. It is arguably the most important biochemical pathway known; nearly all life depends on it. It is an extremely complex process, comprised of many coordinated biochemical reactions. It occurs in higher plants, algae, some bacteria, and some protists, organisms collectively referred to as photoautotrophs.

Taken from: http://www.mongabay.com/reference/eco/Photosynthesis.html

What are the basic needs of all organisms?

Food

Energy

Water

Air

Space

DiscussionOne of the basic needs of organisms is energy.

Discuss with students…

how plants get energy

plants making their own food/energy through photosynthesis

Carbon Dioxide + Water + Sunlight → Oxygen + Sugar + Water

Ask students…

Could plants produce sugar/energy without the sun’s light?

What would happen to a plant that did not have sunlight?

Meeting basic needs

Show students a large leaf plant.

Have students decide where to put the plant.- by a window where it gets sunlight

Also have students decide what to do to make sure the plant has all of its basic needs met.

- water it daily or as needed, sunlight, etc.

Testing Essential Energy Place foil completely around several of the plant leaves. Ask students: “Do you think the foil will keep these leaves from getting their basic needs? What do you think would happen if we left these leaves covered with foil for five days? Will these foil-covered leaves have the energy they need to live and grow?”

Predict what will happen to the leaves with foil and the leaves without foil. Every day for five days the children will check the covered and uncovered leaves of the plant and record their observations.

On the fifth day, ask students: “Why did the leaves covered with foil change? Why did they not have energy to live and grow? Look back to the photosynthesis equation. What ingredient were these leaves missing?”

Photosynthesisby Alvin Silverstein

AMAZON REVIEW: Very readable introduction to photosynthesis. Includes some great facts like a single maple tree can produce 2 tons of food (sugar) in one sunny day. Photos are good. Includes a glossary, additional resource list, and index

REFERENCESBookSilverstein, A., Silverstein V., Nunn L. (2007). Photosynthesis. Twenty-First Century Books.

Websiteshttp://dc.doe.in.gov/Standards/AcademicStandards/StandardSearch.aspx

http://www.indianastandardsresources.org/files/sci/sci_4_4_4.pdf

http://www.thefreedictionary.com/

http://www.mongabay.com/reference/eco/Photosynthesis.html