Energy in Life: Plants and Animals
Grade 7 Science Exploring Photosynthesis and Cellular Respiration How do living things get and use energy?
Essential Question & Big Idea
How do plants and animals obtain and process energy? Big Idea: Matter and energy move through organisms and the environment Today's focus: How plants capture sunlight and make food
Plant Cell Structure: The Energy Factories
Chloroplasts: Green energy converters Cell walls provide structure and protection Stomata: Tiny pores for gas exchange Veins transport water and nutrients
Photosynthesis: Nature's Recipe for Food
Ingredients: Carbon dioxide + Water + Sunlight Products: Glucose (sugar) + Oxygen Chemical equation: 6CO₂ + 6H₂O + light → C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂ Plants make their own food using sunlight!
Investigation: Observing Photosynthesis in Action
Materials: Clear cups, water, fresh leaves, baking soda, lamp Setup: Place leaf in water with baking soda under light Observe: Look for tiny bubbles forming on the leaf Record: What do you see? What causes the bubbles?
Model Building: Energy Flow Diagram
Draw or build a model showing energy flow Include: Sun → Light energy → Plant → Sugar + Oxygen Connect to animals: How do animals get energy from plants? Add arrows to show the direction of energy transfer
Energy Flow: From Sun to All Life
Class Discussion: Common Misconceptions
Do plants 'eat' soil for food? Do plants create energy from nothing? Why do plants need both sunlight AND water? How are photosynthesis and breathing connected?
Summary: The Energy Connection
Photosynthesis converts light energy into chemical energy (glucose) Plants use chloroplasts to capture sunlight Animals depend on plants for food and oxygen Energy flows from sun → plants → animals
Assessment & Extension Activities
Exit Ticket: Explain the role of chloroplasts in one sentence Homework: Describe how energy moves from sun to animals through plants Extension: Investigate different leaf shapes and photosynthesis rates Next class: We'll explore how animals use the energy from plants