We can observe different changes to our solar system over the course of twelve months (or one year). The amount of daylight we have and the season we are in can tell us where we are in our orbit around the sun. The Earth has a Northern and Southern Hemisphere, and we live in the Northern hemisphere.
The sun, the closest star to Earth, affects the seasons and daylight length. Other stars are visible in the night sky, often forming shapes called constellations. The appearance of constellations changes based on the time of year. Examples of constellations include Orion, Leo, Gemini, and Ursa Minor.
The moon has different phases, including full moon, new moon, first quarter moon, and third quarter moon. Additionally, the moon can be waxing or waning. Constellations like Ursa Major have specific appearances based on the time of year and phase of the moon.
All energy on Earth originates from the sun and is transferred between organisms in different ways. Plants are producers, creating energy through photosynthesis, while consumers gain energy by eating other organisms. Decomposers release nutrients back into the ground by breaking down dead organisms. Food chains show a single path of energy transfer, and organisms can eat multiple types of food.
A food web contains multiple interconnected food chains, demonstrating the transfer of energy between organisms. Organisms can be both predator and prey. Energy is lost in food chains, and the higher an organism is in the food chain, the less energy is available to it. An energy pyramid is a visual representation of these energy transfers.
Evolution is the change of inherited traits in a population over many generations, driven by changes in the environment. Genetic variation within a population determines possible traits, and natural selection is the process by which the environment determines which traits are passed on. Selective breeding is a purposeful selection of traits to produce specific traits.
DNA, made of four bases called nucleotides (adenine, guanine, thymine, and cytosine), contains the information needed for an organism's growth and development. Genes are formed by small sections of DNA and are the "code" that helps create an organism's traits. Genetic studies aim to understand how traits are passed down from parents to offspring.
By examining these various aspects of the solar system and biological processes, we gain a deeper understanding of the world around us. The changes that occur over the course of a year provide unique insights into the dynamics of our solar system and the intricate web of life on Earth.
