Question
The Laws of Conservation of Mass and Energy: A Rabbit's Story
In the natural world, every living organism interacts with its environment in a way that follows the Laws of Conservation of Mass and Energy. One example of a consumer that plays a crucial role in these cycles is the rabbit. Rabbits are herbivores, which means they primarily eat plants.
When a rabbit eats a plant, it consumes leaves, stems, and roots. These plant parts are rich in a sugar called glucose, which is produced through a process known as photosynthesis. During photosynthesis, plants use sunlight, carbon dioxide from the air, and water from the soil to create glucose and oxygen. When the rabbit eats the plant, it breaks down the glucose through a process called cellular respiration, which helps the rabbit convert the stored energy in the glucose into a form it can use for its daily activities, like running, jumping, and staying warm. As rabbits consume glucose, the primary product of photosynthesis, they also breathe in oxygen from the atmosphere, the second product of photosynthesis.
The primary product of cellular respiration, chemical energy (ATP), is released during cellular respiration and powers the rabbit’s movements and bodily functions. Additionally, as rabbits breathe out, they release carbon dioxide, the second product of cellular respiration, back into the atmosphere. This carbon dioxide is then available for plants to use again during photosynthesis, demonstrating the interdependence of living systems.
Eventually, every rabbit will die, just like all living organisms. When this happens, the rabbit's body begins to decay. Decomposers, such as bacteria and fungi, break down the organic matter in the rabbit's body. This decaying process returns nutrients to the soil, enriching it with essential elements that plants need to grow. The carbon contained in the rabbit's body is also released. It will be released back into the atmosphere in the form of gasses, such as carbon dioxide, but it will also be released back into the soil in the form of carbon atoms.
The rabbit's life cycle illustrates the Laws of Conservation of Mass and Energy: Matter is neither created nor destroyed; it simply changes forms. The nutrients from the rabbit’s body (matter) are reused by plants, allowing them to grow and produce glucose once again. Energy is transformed through different processes, but it is always conserved in the ecosystem.
Question 1
Using only information in the passage above, explain how the process of a photosynthesis completed by plants, a rabbit eating those plants and the rabbit eventually decaying demonstrates the Laws of Conservation of Matter and Energy. Include specific examples from the passage above that show how matter/energy is conserved (reused/recycled).
Key words to include: photosynthesis, cellular respiration, matter, energy, sunlight, carbon dioxide, oxygen, glucose,
Hint: Which product of photosynthesis (glucose or oxygen) is matter? Which product of photosynthesis (glucose or oxygen) is energy? Explain how these products are transferred through the cycle of events described in the passage.
Sentence starters:
The process of photosynthesis shows that matter and energy is conserved because...
The process of cellular respiration shows that matter and energy is conserved because...
(4 points)
0 / 500 Word Limit
Question 2
Using only information provided within the passage, provide two examples of ways in which matter is transferred in the carbon cycle.
Hint: Identify carbon in the processes and cycles explained above such as photosynthesis, cellular respiration, and decomposition. How is carbon transferred through these processes?
(2 points)
0 / 500 Word Limit
Skip to navigation
In the natural world, every living organism interacts with its environment in a way that follows the Laws of Conservation of Mass and Energy. One example of a consumer that plays a crucial role in these cycles is the rabbit. Rabbits are herbivores, which means they primarily eat plants.
When a rabbit eats a plant, it consumes leaves, stems, and roots. These plant parts are rich in a sugar called glucose, which is produced through a process known as photosynthesis. During photosynthesis, plants use sunlight, carbon dioxide from the air, and water from the soil to create glucose and oxygen. When the rabbit eats the plant, it breaks down the glucose through a process called cellular respiration, which helps the rabbit convert the stored energy in the glucose into a form it can use for its daily activities, like running, jumping, and staying warm. As rabbits consume glucose, the primary product of photosynthesis, they also breathe in oxygen from the atmosphere, the second product of photosynthesis.
The primary product of cellular respiration, chemical energy (ATP), is released during cellular respiration and powers the rabbit’s movements and bodily functions. Additionally, as rabbits breathe out, they release carbon dioxide, the second product of cellular respiration, back into the atmosphere. This carbon dioxide is then available for plants to use again during photosynthesis, demonstrating the interdependence of living systems.
Eventually, every rabbit will die, just like all living organisms. When this happens, the rabbit's body begins to decay. Decomposers, such as bacteria and fungi, break down the organic matter in the rabbit's body. This decaying process returns nutrients to the soil, enriching it with essential elements that plants need to grow. The carbon contained in the rabbit's body is also released. It will be released back into the atmosphere in the form of gasses, such as carbon dioxide, but it will also be released back into the soil in the form of carbon atoms.
The rabbit's life cycle illustrates the Laws of Conservation of Mass and Energy: Matter is neither created nor destroyed; it simply changes forms. The nutrients from the rabbit’s body (matter) are reused by plants, allowing them to grow and produce glucose once again. Energy is transformed through different processes, but it is always conserved in the ecosystem.
Question 1
Using only information in the passage above, explain how the process of a photosynthesis completed by plants, a rabbit eating those plants and the rabbit eventually decaying demonstrates the Laws of Conservation of Matter and Energy. Include specific examples from the passage above that show how matter/energy is conserved (reused/recycled).
Key words to include: photosynthesis, cellular respiration, matter, energy, sunlight, carbon dioxide, oxygen, glucose,
Hint: Which product of photosynthesis (glucose or oxygen) is matter? Which product of photosynthesis (glucose or oxygen) is energy? Explain how these products are transferred through the cycle of events described in the passage.
Sentence starters:
The process of photosynthesis shows that matter and energy is conserved because...
The process of cellular respiration shows that matter and energy is conserved because...
(4 points)
0 / 500 Word Limit
Question 2
Using only information provided within the passage, provide two examples of ways in which matter is transferred in the carbon cycle.
Hint: Identify carbon in the processes and cycles explained above such as photosynthesis, cellular respiration, and decomposition. How is carbon transferred through these processes?
(2 points)
0 / 500 Word Limit
Skip to navigation
Answers
GPT-4o mini
### Question 1
The process of photosynthesis shows that matter and energy are conserved because it converts sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water into glucose and oxygen. The glucose produced during photosynthesis is a form of matter, while oxygen serves as a byproduct that supports other life forms. When a rabbit eats the plant, it consumes the glucose (matter) and uses cellular respiration to break it down. Cellular respiration transforms the stored energy in glucose into chemical energy (ATP) for the rabbit's use. Thus, during this process, energy is conserved as it changes forms from the energy captured in sunlight to the chemical energy the rabbit uses to perform its activities. The matter contained in glucose is also recycled, as the carbon atoms in glucose eventually return to the atmosphere as carbon dioxide during the rabbit’s respiration. This demonstrates how matter and energy constantly move and are recycled through different processes in the ecosystem.
The process of cellular respiration shows that matter and energy are conserved because the rabbit takes in oxygen (matter) and glucose (matter) to produce ATP, which powers its functions. As the rabbit breathes out, it releases carbon dioxide (matter), which is then available for plants to utilize in photosynthesis, closing the loop in this cycle. The energy stored in glucose is transformed into ATP, showing that while energy changes form, it is conserved in the ecosystem. Overall, the interconnectedness of photosynthesis and cellular respiration illustrates the Laws of Conservation of Mass and Energy, where matter and energy are transformed but not lost.
### Question 2
One example of how matter is transferred in the carbon cycle is during photosynthesis, where plants absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere to produce glucose, effectively taking in carbon matter from the air.
Another example is during cellular respiration. When a rabbit consumes glucose, it utilizes the carbon contained in that glucose, and thereafter, it releases carbon dioxide back into the atmosphere as a byproduct of the energy conversion process. This transfer of carbon from the rabbit to the atmosphere demonstrates how matter is cycled within the carbon cycle.
The process of photosynthesis shows that matter and energy are conserved because it converts sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water into glucose and oxygen. The glucose produced during photosynthesis is a form of matter, while oxygen serves as a byproduct that supports other life forms. When a rabbit eats the plant, it consumes the glucose (matter) and uses cellular respiration to break it down. Cellular respiration transforms the stored energy in glucose into chemical energy (ATP) for the rabbit's use. Thus, during this process, energy is conserved as it changes forms from the energy captured in sunlight to the chemical energy the rabbit uses to perform its activities. The matter contained in glucose is also recycled, as the carbon atoms in glucose eventually return to the atmosphere as carbon dioxide during the rabbit’s respiration. This demonstrates how matter and energy constantly move and are recycled through different processes in the ecosystem.
The process of cellular respiration shows that matter and energy are conserved because the rabbit takes in oxygen (matter) and glucose (matter) to produce ATP, which powers its functions. As the rabbit breathes out, it releases carbon dioxide (matter), which is then available for plants to utilize in photosynthesis, closing the loop in this cycle. The energy stored in glucose is transformed into ATP, showing that while energy changes form, it is conserved in the ecosystem. Overall, the interconnectedness of photosynthesis and cellular respiration illustrates the Laws of Conservation of Mass and Energy, where matter and energy are transformed but not lost.
### Question 2
One example of how matter is transferred in the carbon cycle is during photosynthesis, where plants absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere to produce glucose, effectively taking in carbon matter from the air.
Another example is during cellular respiration. When a rabbit consumes glucose, it utilizes the carbon contained in that glucose, and thereafter, it releases carbon dioxide back into the atmosphere as a byproduct of the energy conversion process. This transfer of carbon from the rabbit to the atmosphere demonstrates how matter is cycled within the carbon cycle.