INTRODUCTION

1.1 Characteristic of the idea

Harlen (Harlen, ed., 2015) characterizes this idea as follows: Food provides materials and energy for organisms to carry out the basic functions of life and to grow. Green plants and some bacteria are able to use energy from the Sun to generate complex food molecules. Animals obtain energy by breaking down complex food molecules and are ultimately dependent on green plants as their source of energy. In any ecosystem there is competition among species for the energy resources and materials they need to live and reproduce.

1.2 Suggested level of preconception development for primary level

In the younger school age (7–11 year olds), which corresponds to primary science education, (according to Harlen‘s concept of developing Big Ideas of Science), pupils should already understand that all living things need food as their source of energy as well as air, water and certain temperature conditions. Plants containing chlorophyll can use sunlight to make the food they need and can store food that they do not immediately use. Animals need food that they can break down, which comes either directly by eating plants (herbivores) or by eating animals (carnivores) which have eaten plants or other animals. Animals are ultimately dependent on plants for their survival.