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Flow of Matter and Energy in Ecosystems: Nothing Matters Without Energy
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Details

Type of Product:Science Object
Average Rating:
 based on 2 reviews
Publication Title:Flow of Matter and Energy in Ecosystems SciPack
Publication Date:10/11/2011
Grade Level:Elementary School, Middle School, High School


Description

Science Objects are two hour on-line interactive inquiry-based content modules that help teachers better understand the science content they teach. This Science Object is the third of three Science Objects in the Flow of Matter and Energy in Ecosystems SciPack. It explores how energy flows through an ecosystem in one direction, from photosynthetic organisms to herbivores to omnivores and carnivores and decomposers. As the energy flows, less and less energy isavailable to support life.

Plants capture the sun's energy and use it to synthesize complex, energy-rich molecules (chiefly sugars) from molecules of carbon dioxide and water. Because plants and other photosynthetic organisms use energy from the sun and inorganic molecules from the environment to produce organic molecules needed for life, they are called producers. The organisms that consume the producers (called consumers) derive energy and materials from breaking down the producers’ molecules, use them to synthesize their own structures and then may be consumed by other organisms. Decomposers (organisms that break down dead producers and consumers and organic waste) obtain the energy they need to live from chemical bonds of the dead and waste-matter. The energy is transferred both to the decomposer (for growth and development) and to the ecosystem (as heat energy). Food webs and energy pyramids are models or representations that can be used to track the flow of energy in the ecosystem. Food webs detail the flow of energy through the populations in the ecosystems whereas the pyramid model quantifies the flow of energy through various levels in an ecosystem. Unlike matter, as energy flows through an ecosystem in one direction, from photosynthetic organisms to herbivores to omnivores and carnivores and decomposers, less and less energy becomes available to support life. This loss of useable energy occurs because each energy transfer results in the dissipation of some energy into the environment as heat. Continual input of energy from sunlight is necessary to keep ecosystems organized and functioning.

Learning Outcomes:

  • Explain how a food web describes the flow of energy within an ecosystem
  • Explain the role that the amount of sunlight available to an ecosystem plays on defining the size and types of populations within an ecosystem
  • Use the characteristics of energy transfer (from one population to another) to explain the structure of an energy pyramid for organisms living in a community
  • Explain why, if energy is conserved in the interaction of consumers and producers, there is less energy at the consumer level compared to the producer level in an energy pyramid
  • Explain why a vegetarian diet for humans requires less energy to produce the food needed than a diet that includes meat and fish does
  • Compare the flow of matter with the flow of energy among organisms and between organisms and their environment in an ecosystem


Ideas For Use

Science Objects are two hour learning experiences teachers can use to enhance their understanding of a particular scientific concept. Teachers can access any topic “on demand” from the Internet. Topics are based on the science literacy goals in the national standards (NSES, Science for All Americans, Benchmarks, and the Atlas of Scientific Literacy) and tied to state standards.

Each Science Object provides an understanding of the science content by providing a structured set of learning experiences through simulations and practice assessments. Science Objects challenge teachers to explore and explain real world phenomena and are founded on the principle that learners must be challenged with a problem, observation, data, etc., in order to develop scientific understanding. Science Objects utilize the five phases of inquiry-based learning: Engage, Explore, Explain, Elaborate, and Evaluate

Learning Outcomes:

  • Explain how a food web describes the flow of energy within an ecosystem
  • Explain the role that the amount of sunlight available to an ecosystem plays on defining the size and types of populations within an ecosystem
  • Use the characteristics of energy transfer (from one population to another) to explain the structure of an energy pyramid for organisms living in a community
  • Explain why, if energy is conserved in the interaction of consumers and producers, there is less energy at the consumer level compared to the producer level in an energy pyramid
  • Explain why a vegetarian diet for humans requires less energy to produce the food needed than a diet that includes meat and fish does
  • Compare the flow of matter with the flow of energy among organisms and between organisms and their environment in an ecosystem

Additional Info

Science Discipline: (mouse over for full classification)
Biogeochemical cycles
Carbohydrates
Cell respiration
Photosynthesis
Cycles
Energy transfer
Food web
Population dynamics
Populations
Predation
Trophic levels
Environmental change
Analyzing data
Asking questions
Classifying
Collecting data
Communicating
Experimenting
Hypothesizing
Interpreting data
Measuring
Modeling
Observing
Predicting
Scientific habits of mind
Using mathematics
Using scientific equipment
Using technology
Intended User Role:Elementary-Level Educator, High-School Educator, Middle-Level Educator, New Teacher, Teacher
Educational Issues:Inquiry learning, Professional development, Teacher content knowledge, Teacher preparation, Teaching strategies

Technical

Resource Format:application/x-shockwave-flash, audio/mp3, text/html, video/quicktime
Installation Remarks:Run the Science Objects System Check to ensure that your system is capable of viewing the simulations: http://ecommerce2.nsta.org/system_check/
Requirements:Requires Macromedia Flash Player and Apple Quicktime Player


National Standards Correlation

This resource has 7 correlations with the National Standards.  
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This resource has 7 correlations with the National Standards.  
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  • Life Science
    • Populations and ecosystems
      • Food webs identify the relationships among producers, consumers, and decomposers in an ecosystem. (5-8)
      • For ecosystems, the major source of energy is sunlight. (5-8)
      • Energy entering ecosystems as sunlight is transferred by producers into chemical energy through photosynthesis. (5-8)
      • Energy passes from organism to organism in food webs (5-8)
      • Biotic parts of an ecosystem include animals, plants, and microorganisms. (5-8)
    • The cell
      • The process of photosynthesis provides a vital connection between the sun and the energy needs of living systems. (9-12)
    • Interdependence of organisms
      • Energy flows through ecosystems in one direction, from photosynthetic organisms to herbivores to carnivores and decomposers. (9-12)


Customer Reviews
The Flow of Matter and Energy
  Reviewed by: Pamela A on April 26, 2012
  Having concentrated in physical science, improving my knowledge of life sciences is a major professional development goal. I found this a very informative well designed introduction. The videos are especially well done. I plan to use some of this in my "chemistry for life sciences" class.

Let it Flow!
  Reviewed by: Lorrie Armfield (Laurel, MD) on December 28, 2011
  As a newcomer when teaching Ecosystems, I found this resource to be excellent. It does a good job describing the flow of energy and the flow of matter between organisms and their environments in an ecosystem. I am definitely planning to share aspects of this resource (especially the graphics/diagrams/interactives) with my scholars as we explore ecosystems.

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