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

parasite
cell
nucleus

Materials Needed

labels
seeds
soil

Safety First

Protect your work surface with newspaper or plastic.
Adult supervision recommended.
Do not taste any materials.

Steps

Step 1 — Read

Read and 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.

Step 2 — Do

Gather your materials and set up your workspace.

Step 3 — Observe

Compare the before and after states.

Step 4 — Record

Write your conclusion: did the results match your hypothesis?

Check Your Understanding

Question 1

1 of 3

What is camouflage?