HS-LS1-5 | Photosynthesis
Use a model to illustrate how photosynthesis transforms light energy into stored chemical energy.
Clarification statement: Emphasis is on illustrating inputs and outputs of matter and the transfer and transformation of energy in photosynthesis by plants and other photosynthesizing organisms. Examples of models could include diagrams, chemical equations, and conceptual models.
Assessment boundary: Assessment does not include specific biochemical steps.
Note: This is a performance expectation for both HS Biology and HS Chemistry. For chemistry, the focus is on "balancing chemical equations" (as per the NYSED high school course maps).
Assessment
What assessment of HS-LS1-5 might look like on a NY state exam.
Chemistry
| Exam | Cluster | Question |
|---|---|---|
| August 2026 | The Fruit Industry in New York State | Question 7 |
| June 2026 | Photosynthetic Pathways | Question 38 |
| Sample clusters (Spring 2025) | Evaluating Gas Stoves | Question 5 |
Biology
Performance Level Descriptions
PLDs communicate the knowledge and skills expected of students to demonstrate proficiency in each Learning Standard. NYS assessments classify student performance into one of five levels.
Vocabulary
Terms that come from this standard or from the released exam questions that assess it, listed by subject. Chemistry terms are from the Chemistry Glossary; Biology terms are from the Biology Glossary.
Chemistry
- balancing
- chemical energy
- chemical equation
- component (of a system)
- conceptual model
- energy
- energy flow
- evidence
- inputs and outputs (of matter and energy)
- light energy
- matter
- matter flow
- photosynthesis
- system
- transformation
- atom – June 2026
- chemical reaction – Sample 2025
- coefficient – June 2026
- electromagnetic energy – Sample 2025
- global warming – Sample 2025
- isotope – June 2026
- molecule – Aug 2026, June 2026
- nuclear energy – Sample 2025
- nuclear transformation – June 2026
- particle – June 2026
- product – Sample 2025
- reactant – Sample 2025
- thermal energy – Sample 2025
Biology
- carbon
- chemical energy
- energy flow
- inputs and outputs
- light energy
- matter
- oxygen
- photosynthesis
- photosynthesizing organisms
- sugar
- algae – Sample 2024
- ATP – Aug 2026, June 2025
- carnivorous plant – Jan 2026
- cell – Jan 2026, Sample 2024
- chloroplast – Jan 2026
- compound – Jan 2026
- enzyme – Jan 2026
- epidermal cell – Sample 2024
- habitat – Sample 2024
- homeostasis – Aug 2026
- leaf – Aug 2026, Jan 2026
- outcompete – Jan 2026
- pharynx – Sample 2024
- plant cell – Jan 2026
- soil – Jan 2026
- stinging cell – Sample 2024
- tentacle – Sample 2024
- wetland – Jan 2026
Resources
Examples and discussion of resources for the learning, teaching, and assessment of HS-LS1-5.
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NGSS Dimensions
Performance expectation HS-LS1-5 was developed using the following elements from the NRC document A Framework for K-12 Science Education:
- Developing and Using Models
- Use a model based on evidence to illustrate the relationships between systems or between components of a system.
- LS1.C: Organization for Matter and Energy Flow in Organisms
- The process of photosynthesis converts light energy to stored chemical energy by converting carbon dioxide plus water into sugars plus released oxygen.
- Energy and Matter
- Changes of energy and matter in a system can be described in terms of energy and matter flows into, out of, and within that system.