HS-LS1-5

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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).

Regents Exam Questions

Released New York State Regents exam questions that assess HS-LS1-5 are listed here by exam and question cluster. Each link opens the question with its answer key.

Chemistry

Exam	Cluster	Question
August 2026 Chemistry Regents	The Fruit Industry in New York State	Question 7
June 2026 Chemistry Regents	Photosynthetic Pathways	Question 38
Chemistry sample clusters (Spring 2025)	Evaluating Gas Stoves	Question 5

Biology

Exam	Cluster	Question
August 2026 Biology Regents	Homeostasis in Plants	Question 31
January 2026 Biology Regents	Space Invader	Question 7
	Purple Insect Eater	Question 37
June 2025 Biology Regents	Carbon! Where Does It Come From? Where Does It Go?	Question 3
Biology sample clusters (Spring 2024)	Coral Reefs	Question 2

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

From this standard

• 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

From released exam questions

• 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

From this standard

• carbon
• chemical energy
• energy flow
• inputs and outputs
• light energy
• matter
• oxygen
• photosynthesis
• photosynthesizing organisms
• sugar

From released exam questions

• 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

Performance Level Descriptions

Every Regents exam question on HS-LS1-5 is written to match one of the performance level descriptions (PLDs) below.

Level 1: Use a model/information to identify how the process of photosynthesis transforms light energy into stored chemical energy. Jan 2026 Bio · Q37 June 2025 Bio · Q3

Level 2: Use a model/information demonstrating photosynthesis to identify energy and matter components. Chem Sample · Gas Stoves Q5 Aug 2026 Bio · Q31

Level 3: Use a model to describe how the process of photosynthesis conserves energy and/or matter. June 2026 Chem · Q38

Level 4: Use a model to illustrate how photosynthesis transforms light energy into stored chemical energy. Aug 2026 Chem · Q7 Jan 2026 Bio · Q7 June 2025 Bio · Q2

Level 5: Create a model, given input and output of matter and energy, to demonstrate how photosynthesis transforms light energy into stored chemical energy.

Notice: PLD levels!

Resources

Examples and discussion of resources for the learning, teaching, and assessment of HS-LS1-5.

This section could be expanded upon. You can help out by adding to this section.

NGSS Dimensions

Performance expectation HS-LS1-5 was developed using the following elements from the NRC document A Framework for K-12 Science Education:

Science and Engineering Practices

• Developing and Using Models
  • Use a model based on evidence to illustrate the relationships between systems or between components of a system.

Disciplinary Core Ideas

• 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.

Crosscutting Concepts

• 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.

Page contributors: Conrad Richman, Caroline Leonard

Biology and Chemistry | HS. Matter and Energy in Organisms and Ecosystems