Energy Flow in Ecosystems

What You'll Learn

All living things share basic characteristics: they grow, reproduce, respond to their environment, and need energy to survive. Plants make their own food through photosynthesis, while animals must eat other organisms.

Key Words

prey
organism
biome

Materials Needed

plastic wrap
ruler
magnifying glass
paper towels

Safety First

Clean up spills immediately to prevent slipping.

Steps

Step 1 — Read

Read about Ecosystems and write down three key facts.

Step 2 — Do

Design a controlled experiment: grow plants under different light conditions (full sun, partial shade, no light). Water equally and measure growth daily for one week.

Step 3 — Observe

Compare the before and after states.

Step 4 — Record

Write your conclusion: did the results match your hypothesis? What would you change next time?

Check Your Understanding

Question 1

1 of 3

What is camouflage?