The NGSS high school standards for Matter and Energy in Organisms and Ecosystems focus on the flow of energy and the cycling of matter within biological systems. This area of study explores how organisms obtain, use, and transfer energy and matter to sustain life. Students examine the processes of photosynthesis and cellular respiration, understanding how energy from the sun is captured by plants and transferred through food webs to power the activities of all living organisms.
The standards also cover how matter, such as carbon and nitrogen, cycles through ecosystems, moving between the biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) components. Students investigate how energy flows through trophic levels, from producers to consumers and decomposers, and how energy is lost as heat at each level. This area emphasizes the interconnectedness of organisms and the environment, showing how the balance of energy and matter is essential for the stability and functioning of ecosystems. By studying these processes, students gain a deeper understanding of the fundamental principles that govern life on Earth.
HS. Matter and Energy in Organisms and Ecosystems Review Sheets: HS-LS1-5: Photosynthesis and Energy Transformation : HS-LS1-6: Formation of Carbon-Based Molecules : HS-LS1-7: Cellular Respiration and Energy Transfer : HS-LS2-3: Aerobic and Anaerobic Cycling of Matter : HS-LS2-4: Biomass and Trophic Levels : HS-LS2-5: Cycling of Carbon in Ecosystems