Competency Goal 4: The learner will investigate the cycling of matter.

Objectives

4.01 Describe the flow of energy and matter in natural systems:

• Energy flows through ecosystems in one direction, from the sun through producers to consumers to decomposers.
• Matter is transferred from one organism to another and between organisms and their environments.
• Water, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, and oxygen are substances cycled between the living and non-living environments.

4.02 Evaluate the significant role of decomposers.

4.03 Examine evidence that green plants make food.

• Photosynthesis is a process carried on by green plants and other organisms containing chlorophyll.
• During photosynthesis, light energy is converted into stored energy which the plant, in turn, uses to carry out its life processes.

4.04 Evaluate the significance of photosynthesis to other organisms:

• The major source of atmospheric oxygen is photosynthesis.
• Carbon dioxide is removed from the atmosphere and oxygen is released during photosynthesis.
• Green plants are the producers of food that is used directly or indirectly by consumers.

4.05 Evaluate designed systems for ability to enable growth of certain plants and animals.