Carbon and nitrogen don't disappear — they cycle. Fifth graders trace that movement through photosynthesis turning CO2 into glucose, animals exhaling carbon dioxide, fossil fuels adding extra carbon to the air, and soil bacteria converting atmospheric nitrogen into forms plant roots can absorb.
A matching task pairs photosynthesis, respiration, decomposition, and nitrogen fixation with what each one actually does. Students also recall that nitrogen makes up 78 percent of the atmosphere and that plants use it to build proteins. The lasting idea is that matter recycles through ecosystems while energy keeps flowing forward.
Style:
Ecosystems
Part A: Fill in the Blank
Write the missing word or number on each line.
1. During photosynthesis, plants take in carbon dioxide from the air and convert it into glucose.
2. When animals breathe, they release carbon dioxide back into the atmosphere.
3. Burning fossil fuels adds extra carbon to the atmosphere, which contributes to climate change.
4. Nitrogen makes up about 78 percent of Earth's atmosphere.
5. Special bacteria in the soil convert nitrogen gas into forms that plants can absorb through their roots.
6. Plants need nitrogen to build proteins, which are essential for growth and repair.
7. When organisms die, decomposers break down their bodies and return nitrogen to the soil.
8. The process of breaking down glucose for energy and releasing CO2 is called respiration.
9. Unlike energy, matter is recycled and reused over and over in an ecosystem.
Part B: Matching
Match each item on the left to the correct answer on the right.
1. Match each item to its correct answer.
Photosynthesis
→ Plants absorb carbon dioxide and produce oxygen and glucose
Bacteria convert nitrogen gas into usable forms for plants
Respiration
→ Organisms break down glucose and release carbon dioxide
Organisms break down glucose and release carbon dioxide
Decomposition
→ Fungi and bacteria break down dead matter and return nutrients to soil
Fungi and bacteria break down dead matter and return nutrients to soil
Nitrogen fixation
→ Bacteria convert nitrogen gas into usable forms for plants
Plants absorb carbon dioxide and produce oxygen and glucose
Ecosystems
★ Part A: Fill in the Blank
Write the missing word or number on each line.
1) During photosynthesis, plants take in carbon dioxide from the air and convert it into glucose.
2) When animals breathe, they release carbon dioxide back into the atmosphere.
3) Burning fossil fuels adds extra carbon to the atmosphere, which contributes to climate change.
4) Nitrogen makes up about 78 percent of Earth's atmosphere.
5) Special bacteria in the soil convert nitrogen gas into forms that plants can absorb through their roots.
6) Plants need nitrogen to build proteins, which are essential for growth and repair.
7) When organisms die, decomposers break down their bodies and return nitrogen to the soil.
8) The process of breaking down glucose for energy and releasing CO2 is called respiration.
9) Unlike energy, matter is recycled and reused over and over in an ecosystem.
★ Part B: Matching
Match each item on the left to the correct answer on the right.
1) Match each item to its correct answer.
Photosynthesis
→ Plants absorb carbon dioxide and produce oxygen and glucose
Bacteria convert nitrogen gas into usable forms for plants
Respiration
→ Organisms break down glucose and release carbon dioxide
Organisms break down glucose and release carbon dioxide
Decomposition
→ Fungi and bacteria break down dead matter and return nutrients to soil
Fungi and bacteria break down dead matter and return nutrients to soil
Nitrogen fixation
→ Bacteria convert nitrogen gas into usable forms for plants
Plants absorb carbon dioxide and produce oxygen and glucose
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10 Questions
10-15 minutes
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