SEEd Snails in a Jar
Assessment
This assessment was adapted from a Utah Science Core Guides assessment exemplar. Standard: 8.3.2 Develop a model to describe how food is changed through chemical reactions to form new molecules that support growth and/or release energy as matter cycles through an organism. Emphasis is on describing that during cellular respiration molecules are broken apart and rearranged into new molecules, and that this process releases energy. (PS3.D, LS1.C) Phenomenon Two jars of pond water with plants and snails were collected and sealed. One was placed in the sunlight and one was placed in the dark. Proficient Student Explanation of Phenomenon: When the jar is placed under sunlight, the plants carry out photosynthesis and provide food and oxygen to the snail. The snail carries out cellular respiration to produce energy for life functions. When the jar is placed in the dark, the photosynthesis stops. Plants cannot produce the food molecules and oxygen for the snail to survive. Resources Original SEEd Assessment Exemplar 8.3.2
Two jars of pond water with plants and snails were collected and sealed. One was placed in the sunlight and one was placed in the dark. No air and food was able to enter and leave the jar. The plants and the snails are still active and live in a healthy environment, if the jar is placed under sunlight. When the jar is kept in the dark, over time the snail and plants do not survive. Photosynthesis and cellular respiration are two types of metabolic processes in living organisms. Plants use sunlight to make sugar and oxygen through photosynthesis. All living organisms carry out cellular respiration to break down sugar to produce energy.
Topics and standards: Life Science, LS1.C, Ecosystems, PS3.D, Abiotic-Biotic Interactions, Developing & Using Models, Flow of Energy and Matter, Grades 6-8, 3D Science Tasks, 8.3.2, Hosted Utah SEEd, 7-PS3-2, Assessment