Chapter 2
Auggie popped into Science class.
"Hi Augs." said Ava.
"Hi Ava." said Auggie.
"Take your seats, everyone! Today we will be learning about how organisms obtain energy. Does anyone know anything about the methods organisms use to obtain energy?" said Mr. Williams the Science teacher.
"What's he talking about? I can hardly understand science talk." said Ava.
"He says that we will be learning how living things get food." said Auggie.
Ava raised her hand.
"Yes, Ava?" said Mr. Williams.
"We get food from the grocery store." said Ava.
Everybody laughed.
"Not quite. Anyone else?" said Mr. Williams.
Auggie raised his hand.
"Yes, Auggie?" said Mr. Williams.
"Plants obtain energy via a process called photosynthesis." said Auggie.
"Correct! Does anyone know anything about photosynthesis?" said Mr. Williams.
Auggie raised his hand.
"Yes, Auggie?" said Mr. Williams.
"To start photosynthesis, plants need water, carbon dioxide, and sunlight." said Auggie.
"Correct! Does anyone else want to share something?" said Mr. Williams.
Nobody raised a hand.
"Okay. So, organisms obtain energy via a process known as cellular respiration during which they use oxygen to break down food molecules in order to obtain chemical energy. But, it isn't that simple. Organisms get the food molecules needed for cellular respiration in different ways. Autotrophs make their own food molecules while heterotrophs consume other organisms to obtain food molecules. I will give each of you a worksheet that will ask you to identify the organism as a heterotroph or as an autotroph. It will be homework. Goodbye." said Mr. Williams.
Auggie and Ava left.
