Testing Plants as a Source of Energy
The Life Sciences unit offers Habonim students (grades 6-7) the opportunity to make concrete connections between the needs of the individual organism and the needs of a population of organisms. Earlier in the unit, students kept a food log over the course of one day, then traced where the energy in those foods came from. In the case of every single food item they had eaten during that day, the source of energy ultimately traced back to plants.
To test the idea that animals get their energy and building materials from plants, students tested two parts of plants, potatoes and beans, for the presence of starch using an iodine indicator solution. Students observed a color change in both the potato and the bean, proving that they have starch. Since plants contain food, this means that animals get their energy from other animals and plants.
The question students will be investigating next is: Where do plants get their energy and building materials?
HERE is a closer look at our scientists in action!