HS-LS2-5 | The Carbon Cycle · NYS standard · Regents questions

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Develop a model to illustrate the role of various processes in the cycling of carbon among the biosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere, and geosphere.

Clarification statement: Examples of models could include simulations, diagrams, and mathematical models of the carbon cycle (photosynthesis, respiration, decomposition, and combustion).

Assessment boundary: Assessment does not include the specific chemical steps of photosynthesis and respiration.

Regents Exam Questions

Released New York State Regents exam questions that assess HS-LS2-5 are listed here by exam and question cluster. Each link opens the question with its answer key.

Exam Cluster Question
August 2026 Biology Regents Deep-Sea Dilemmas Question 5
The Permafrost Problem Question 45
June 2026 Biology Regents Fossil Fuels: Out of Sight, but Not Out of Mind Question 23
August 2025 Biology Regents Carbon Cycle Supports Life on Earth Question 20
Carbon Cycle Supports Life on Earth Question 21
June 2025 Biology Regents Carbon! Where Does It Come From? Where Does It Go? Question 2
Biology sample clusters (Fall 2024) Old Forest Question 1

Vocabulary

Terms from the Biology Glossary that come from this standard or from the released exam questions that assess it.

From this standard
  • atmosphere
  • biosphere
  • carbon
  • carbon cycle
  • cellular respiration
  • chemical process
  • combustion
  • cycling of carbon
  • decomposition
  • Earth’s spheres
  • ecosystem
  • energy transfer
  • geosphere
  • hydrosphere
  • matter
  • photosynthesis
  • respiration
  • solar energy
  • system model
From released exam questions
Implied by this standard
  • decomposer – implied by "decomposition"

Performance Level Descriptions

Every Regents exam question on HS-LS2-5 is written to match one of the performance level descriptions (PLDs) below.

Level 1: Use a model to identify one process involved in the cycling of carbon between two of Earths spheres. Aug 2025 · Q20
Level 2: Use a model to describe the role of one process involved in the cycling of carbon between two of Earths spheres. Aug 2026 · Q5 Aug 2026 · Q45 June 2026 · Q23 Aug 2025 · Q21 June 2025 · Q2 June 2025 · Q1
Level 3: Complete or use a model to provide evidence that supports the cycling of carbon between at least two spheres (biosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere, and/or geosphere.)
Level 4: Develop a model to illustrate the role of various processes in the cycling of carbon among the biosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere, and geosphere.
Level 5: Develop and revise a model to predict the impact of changing a particular characteristic of a system on the various processes in the cycling of carbon among the biosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere, and geosphere.
Notice: PLD levels!

Resources

Examples and discussion of resources for the learning, teaching, and assessment of HS-LS2-5.

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NGSS Dimensions

Performance expectation HS-LS2-5 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
    • Develop a model based on evidence to illustrate the relationships between systems or components of a system.
Disciplinary Core Ideas
  • LS2.B: Cycles of Matter and Energy Transfer in Ecosystems
    • (NYSED) Photosynthesis and cellular respiration are important components of the carbon cycle, in which carbon is exchanged among the biosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere, and geosphere through chemical, physical, geological, and biological processes.
  • PS3.D: Energy in Chemical Processes
    • The main way that solar energy is captured and stored on Earth is through the complex chemical process known as photosynthesis
Crosscutting Concepts
  • Systems and System Model
    • Models (e.g., physical, mathematical, computer models) can be used to simulate systems and interactions – including energy, matter, and information flows – within and between systems at different scales.
Page contributors: Conrad Richman, Caroline Leonard
Biology | HS. Matter and Energy in Organisms and Ecosystems
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