Vocabulary
matter that makes up the nonliving parts of an ecosystem, such as air, water, and rocks
Abiotic Matter
an organism that needs to eat in order to get energy storage molecules (such as starch and fat)
Consumer
all the living and nonliving things interacting in a particular area
Ecosystem
he sun has been up for several hours, and it has been shining on these trees.
What can the trees do because they are in sunlight? What does this mean for
the number of energy storage molecules in the trees?
The trees can . . .
take in carbon from the air. The carbon is used to make energy storage molecules.
the chemical reaction between oxygen and glucose that releases energy into cells
Cellular Respiration
an organism that gets energy storage molecules (such as glucose) by breaking down dead matter
decomposer
a molecule that organisms can use to release the energy they need to survive
Energy Storage Molecule
These goats are eating grass on a sunny day. What is happening to the carbon
in the air around the living things on the mountain? Is carbon moving into the
air, moving out of the air, or both?
Carbon is moving into the air and out of the air at the same time.
a type of atom (a tiny piece) that makes up molecules such as carbon dioxide and energy storage molecules
Carbon
the part of a cell where photosynthesis happens
Chloroplast
a molecule that organisms can use to release energy, and that is made of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms
Glucose
Will has an aquarium with water, plants, and fish that eat the plants. It is sealed
so no material can get in or out, and has glass sides that allow sunlight to come
in. The aquarium can also be covered to prevent light from entering.
The amount of carbon in the aquarium’s water started out high. Now, the amount
of carbon in the water is decreasing.
Is the aquarium now in sunlight or is it covered? What is happening to the number
of energy storage molecules in the plants and fish as a result?
The aquarium is now in sunlight, and there are more energy storage molecules in the plants and fish.
the tiny pieces that all matter—all the stuff in the world—is made of
Atoms
a molecule made of carbon and oxygen atoms
Carbon Dioxide
an ending substance that is made during a chemical reaction
Product
Scientists are studying photosynthesis in a forest ecosystem that has plants,
animals, and decomposers (which consume dead things). Which group or groups of
organisms in the forest carry out photosynthesis?
plants
matter that makes up the living and dead organisms in an ecosystem
Biotic Matter
a starting substance that is part of a chemical reaction
Reactant
the process by which plants and other producers use energy from sunlight to change carbon dioxide and water into oxygen and glucose (an energy storage molecule)
Photosynthesis
A herd of deer lives in a forest where they eat the leaves of trees. The number of
energy storage molecules in the trees and in the deer has increased. What has
happened to the amount of carbon in the trees and in the deer?
The amount of carbon in the trees and in the deer ...
has increased