Separate food and minerals
Separate food and minerals using supplied evidence and a solved model.
About 18 minutes, plus any extended practice
Supplied materials
- All measurements and observations below are supplied classroom examples. They are not data from actual learners or a claim about a particular real site.
- Paper, drawing space or a browser document.
- Reference card A: sugar containing stored chemical energy. Reference card B: needed nonfood nutrient from surroundings.
- Assessment case 1: Which scientific label fits the specifically described step or feature? Supplied case: Plant-made sugar.
- Assessment case 2: Which scientific label fits the specifically described step or feature? Supplied case: Supplied dissolved nitrogen nutrient.
- Assessment case 3: Which scientific label fits the specifically described step or feature? Supplied case: Incoming sunlight.
- Assessment case 4: Which scientific label fits the specifically described step or feature? Supplied case: Air carbon dioxide.
- Assessment case 5: Which scientific label fits the specifically described step or feature? Supplied case: Plant receives a dissolved mineral.
- Assessment case 6: Which scientific label fits the specifically described step or feature? Supplied case: Light enters a green leaf.
Learn the idea
Plants make food molecules but also need mineral nutrients. Soil is a source of water and minerals, not a meal. Fertilizer does not replace light, water or carbon dioxide.
Food molecule means sugar containing stored chemical energy. Mineral nutrient means needed nonfood nutrient from surroundings. Light energy means energy supporting photosynthesis. Carbon source means carbon dioxide used to build sugars.
For food molecule, look for the clue “sugar containing stored chemical energy.” For mineral nutrient, look for “needed nonfood nutrient from surroundings.” More than one process can happen in a real situation. Answer about the one described in this question.
- Read or listen to the four science words and what each means. Say how the first two differ.
- Choose two of the short cases. Point to the clue that helps you choose a science word for each one. You may draw or say your answer.
- Answer each practice question. Say which clue helped you, then check the explanation.
- Use the extra task to make two examples that show different science words. Draw or say what makes each one fit.
See the method in action
Worked reference-card problem: a card states “sugar containing stored chemical energy”; a second states “needed nonfood nutrient from surroundings.” The first fits food molecule and the second fits mineral nutrient. The reason is the described function or change, not the order of the cards or a favorite name. If their descriptions exchange places, their category labels exchange too. Keep the supplied descriptions attached to the correct case.
Check your reasoning
Your answer is temporary and is not saved to an account. Download your current answer before leaving or reloading. Written work on paper or in another app stays in your own file.
Helpful tips
- Use the feature “sugar containing stored chemical energy” to justify food molecule; do not sort by the name alone.
- Distinguish mineral nutrient (needed nonfood nutrient from surroundings) from a different process occurring in the same situation.
See the answer and explanation
food molecule
The answer is food molecule. In the notes, it means “sugar containing stored chemical energy.” Plants make food molecules but also need mineral nutrients. Soil is a source of water and minerals, not a meal. Fertilizer does not replace light, water or carbon dioxide.
Take it further
Create one new case showing food molecule and one showing mineral nutrient. Expected: the first explicitly shows “sugar containing stored chemical energy”; the second explicitly shows “needed nonfood nutrient from surroundings.” Explain the distinction by drawing, speaking or writing. A label without a matching feature is incomplete.
Nothing here is saved to an account or sent to a teacher. The answer download includes your current choice and any checked feedback. It does not include choices from the separate More practice section. Download that section separately.
More practice: try new cases
Choose an answer for each problem. Explain your method on paper, then use the feedback to decide what to revisit.
Your choices are temporary. Feedback appears after you check all the answers.
Nothing here is saved to an account or sent to a teacher. Keep your own notes or download them before leaving. The score describes these questions; it does not certify subject mastery.
Check the subject sources
These LifeStarter passages, scenarios and exercises are authored for this Academy with AI assistance and review. External resources keep their publishers’ terms. A grade label suggests a starting level; it does not establish alignment with your school’s complete requirements.