Matter and Energy in Ecosystems

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.

• has decreased.

• has not changed.

• is not related to the number of energy storage molecules.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-6

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

This sea grass has had the sun shining on it for most of the day. What can the sea grass do because it is in sunlight? What does this mean for the number of energy storage molecules in the sea grass?

• take in carbon from the air. The carbon is used to break down energy storage molecules.

• take in carbon from the air. The carbon is used to make energy storage molecules.

• give off carbon to the air. Giving off carbon allows the sea grass to make energy storage molecules.

• give off carbon to the air. Giving off carbon uses up energy storage molecules.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-6

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

This tortoise is eating cactus on a sunny day. Is carbon moving into the air, moving out of the air, or both?

• Carbon is not moving into the air; it is only moving out of the air.

• With this information, there is no way to know for sure.

• Carbon is only moving into the air; it is not moving out of the air.

• Carbon is moving into the air and out of the air at the same time.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-6

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

Lily has an aquarium with water, plants, and fish that eat the plants. The aquarium is sealed so no material can get in or out, and has glass sides that allow light to come in. The aquarium can also be covered to prevent light from entering. The number of energy storage molecules in the plants and fish started out low, but that number has been increasing over time. Has the aquarium been in sunlight or has it been covered during this time? What has happened to the carbon in the water?

• The aquarium has been covered so no light gets in, and there is less carbon in the water.

• The aquarium has been covered so no light gets in, and there is more carbon in the water.

• The aquarium has been in sunlight, and there is more carbon in the water.

• The aquarium has been in sunlight, and there is less carbon in the water.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-6

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

Scientists are studying cellular respiration in a jungle ecosystem that has plants, animals, and decomposers (which consume dead things). Which group or groups of organisms in the jungle carry out cellular respiration?

• plants

• animals and decomposers

• all organisms in the jungle

• animals

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

Giant kelp are plantlike organisms that grow in clear ocean water. Over the last few hours some kelp has been taking in carbon from the water around it. Is the kelp in sunlight? What has happened to the number of energy storage molecules in the kelp?

• is in sunlight, and the number of energy storage molecules in the kelp has decreased.

• is in sunlight, and the number of energy storage molecules in the kelp has increased.

• is not in sunlight, and the number of energy storage molecules in the kelp has decreased.

• is not in sunlight, and the number of energy storage molecules in the kelp has increased.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-6

NGSS.MS-LS1-7

A rabbit is eating leafy plants on a sunny day. What is happening to the carbon in the plants and the rabbit?

• Carbon is only moving out of the living things; it is not moving into them.

• With this information, there is no way to know for sure.

• Carbon is moving into and out of the living things at the same time.

• Carbon is only moving into the living things; it is not moving out of them.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-6

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

A scientist set up an experimental ecosystem in a sealed room with no windows. The experimental ecosystem has plants and animals that eat those plants. The scientist can control whether the room is light or dark with a light switch outside the room. The amount of carbon in the air of the ecosystem started out low. Then the amount of carbon in the air started to increase. Is the increase because the scientist switched the light on or because she switched the light off? What happened to the number of energy storage molecules in the living things? The scientist . . .

• switched the light off, and the number of energy storage molecules in the living things decreased.

• switched the light off, and the number of energy storage molecules in the living things increased.

• switched the light on, and the number of energy storage molecules in the living things increased.

• switched the light on, and the number of energy storage molecules in the living things decreased.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-6

NGSS.MS-LS1-7

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

Scientists are studying photosynthesis in a desert ecosystem that has plants, animals, and decomposers (which consume dead things). Which group or groups of organisms in the desert carry out photosynthesis?

• plants

• plants and decomposers

• all organisms in the desert

• animals and decomposers

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-6

Scientists are studying cellular respiration in a river ecosystem that has plants, animals, and decomposers (which consume dead things). Which group or groups of organisms in the river carry out cellular respiration?

• plants

• animals and decomposers

• all organisms in the river

• animals

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-3