Grade 5 Science End of Term Coverage Term 3
Effects of the Geosphere
Molten Lava and Magma (Textbook Page 70):
Molten lava originates as magma, which are extremely hot, solid rocks that are melted.
Magma is located within the inner and outer core of the Earth.
The process of volcano formation involves magma rising to the mantle and then to the crust.
Upon reaching the crust, it forms a volcano.
Landslides (Textbook Page 73):
A landslide is defined as a sudden movement of large amounts of rocks and soil down a slope.
Causes of landslides include:
Earthquakes.
Heavy rain.
Human activities, specifically deforestation.
Composition of Soil and Minerals (Textbook Page 74):
Soil is a mixture consisting of sand, silt, clay, nonliving plants and animals, and minerals.
Minerals are defined as solid, nonliving substances found naturally in nature.
Formation of the Hawaiian Islands (Textbook Page 70):
Hot magma rose from deep within the Earth via a hot spot located under the ocean.
This magma cooled and formed a volcano on the ocean floor.
Through repeated eruptions, the volcano grew taller until it rose above the ocean surface, creating an island.
The Pacific Plate moved over the stationary hot spot.
As the plate moved, a new volcano formed above the hot spot, creating a subsequent island.
This repetitive process resulted in the formation of the Hawaiian Islands chain.
Effects of the Atmosphere
Air Masses and Fronts (Textbook Page 89):
An air mass is a large region of air characterized by similar temperature and humidity throughout.
Categories of air masses based on their formation location:
Cool.
Warm.
Dry.
Humid.
The boundary formed when one air mass meets a different air mass is called a front.
Types of Fronts (Textbook Page 107):
Warm Front: Occurs when warm air moves slowly over cold air, resulting in light rain or cloudy weather.
Cold Front: Occurs when cold air moves quickly under warm air, leading to heavy rain or storms.
Stationary Front: Occurs when warm and cold air masses stop moving against each other, causing cloudy and rainy weather that persists for a long duration.
Weather and Climate (Textbook Page 92-99):
Weather: Describes short-term atmospheric conditions.
Climate: Describes long-term weather patterns established in a specific area over time.
Effects of the Biosphere
Deforestation (Textbook Page 107-108):
Deforestation is the removal of large areas of trees.
Purposes for deforestation:
Using trees to manufacture goods.
Clearing land to build structures.
Impact on wildlife:
Animals are forced to migrate due to the loss of their habitats.
Destruction of habitats and food sources reduces animal and plant populations.
Organisms that cannot move often die.
Ecological consequences: Species may become endangered or extinct, leading to an unbalanced ecosystem.
Conservation Status (Textbook Page 107):
Endangered: A species that is currently at risk of becoming extinct.
Extinct: A species that no longer exists anywhere on Earth.
Key Difference: Endangered species still have living members but are in danger; extinct species are completely gone.
Plant Survival and Physiology
Energy and Food Production (Textbook Page 10):
Energy is defined as the ability to perform work or change something.
Plants obtain energy and food through the process of photosynthesis.
Requirements for photosynthesis: Carbon dioxide () from the air and sunlight.
Plant Structures and Functions (Textbook Page 10):
Stomata: Tiny openings in the leaves that facilitate air exchange. They allow carbon dioxide to enter the plant and oxygen () to exit. Stomata also close to prevent water loss.
Roots: Absorb water and nutrients from the soil.
Stem: Acts as a transport system, carrying water and nutrients throughout the plant.
Leaves: Capture sunlight and carbon dioxide to produce food.
System Integration: These parts work together to manage the flow of energy, water, and air. The plant also releases oxygen into the atmosphere.
Transpiration (Textbook Page 11):
Transpiration is the process by which plants release water vapor into the air from their leaves.
Path of water: Absorbed by roots moves through the stem exits through the stomata in the leaves.
Interaction of Living Things
Ecosystem Components (Textbook Page 26):
Abiotic: The nonliving parts of an ecosystem. Examples include water, sunlight, air, and rocks.
Biotic: The living parts of an ecosystem. Examples include plants, animals, fungi, and bacteria.
Habitats (Textbook Page 27):
A habitat is the specific place within an ecosystem where an organism lives.
Examples: Forests, deserts, oceans, ponds, and grasslands.
Decomposers (Textbook Page 42):
Decomposers break down dead plants and animals and return essential nutrients to the soil.
Benefits: They help plants grow and maintain a clean, balanced environment.
Bacteria (Textbook Page 42): One type of decomposer. They are organisms consisting of a single cell.
Common Interactions and Roles (Textbook Page 30):
Predator: An animal that hunts and eats another animal (e.g., lion, eagle, snake).
Prey: The animal that is hunted and eaten (e.g., rabbit, mouse, deer).
Invasive Species (Textbook Page 16): Plants, animals, or organisms introduced to an ecosystem where they do not naturally live. They cause harm to the environment and native species by competing for food and space, leading to ecosystem imbalance. Examples include the cane toad, zebra mussel, and lionfish.
Energy Transfer and Food Webs (Textbook Page 99):
Organisms are interconnected within a food web. For example, a snake may be eaten by an eagle, and a mountain lion may compete with that same eagle for prey like mice and deer. This demonstrates that all organisms in a food web are connected.
Earth's Major Systems and Their Interactions
The Four Systems (Textbook Page 70-107):
Hydrosphere: All water on Earth (oceans, rivers, lakes, rain).
Atmosphere: The layer of gases surrounding Earth, including the air we breathe (clouds, air).
Geosphere: The solid parts of Earth (rocks, soil, mountains, land, volcanoes).
Biosphere: All living things (plants, animals, humans, trees, birds).
Cross-System Interactions:
Plants and Atmosphere: Plants release oxygen into the air.
Plants and Geosphere: Plant roots help hold soil in place.
Plants and Hydrosphere: Plants absorb water from the soil.
Animals and Atmosphere: Animals release carbon dioxide into the air.
Humans and Atmosphere: Humans can cause air pollution.
Animals and Geosphere: Animals dig in soil and change the land.
Humans and Geosphere: Humans build roads and buildings on land.
Animals and Hydrosphere: Animals drink water and live in water.
Humans and Hydrosphere: Humans use water for drinking, farming, and cleaning.