Dot point focused – 9.9.3.1- Gather, process and summarise information from secondary sources to identify the products of photosynthesis and describe the function of these compounds in living organisms
Prior learning: Stage 4, Structures and Systems 4.8.2 (c), 4.8.4 (d) Interactions 4.10 (c); Stage 5, Interactions 5.11.2 (b), Structures and Systems 5.8.4 (b)
Preliminary module 8.2.2 module 8.3.4
Preliminary module 8.2.2 module 8.3.4
Background: Photosynthesis is one of the most important biochemical reactions that can be studied. Photosynthesis is the process in green plants that captures light energy from the sun. It therefore is the basis of most life on Earth.
To elaborate on 9.9.3.1 dot point -
- Gather information from various sources such as a textbook or Internet site, evaluate the information and choose the relevant details. Summarise and collate the information to identify the products of photosynthesis and describe the function of these compounds in living things.
- Process the information by evaluating the accuracy of the data in relation to the area of investigation.
At first students should know the process involved in photosynthesis to later identify its products and describe its functions.
Students are shown an interactive video animation on photosynthesis. http://vcell.ndsu.edu/animations/photosynthesis/movie-flash.htm
This animation identifies the complexes involved in electron transport chain, mobile carriers and key components required for the photosynthesis process. This video explains in detail the process and help students to understand the abstract concept involved in this process.
A website is provided as a starting point
Students are asked to identify the products of photosynthesis from this website and describe its functions. This website gives the information on Calvin cycle, photosynthesis, and metabolism- various pathways by which cells can obtain energy.
Students are asked to look up two other websites to check for reliability of the information gathered.
A sample answer would look like this-
Identify the products of photosynthesis.
The products of photosynthesis are oxygen gas, water and glucose. The glucose is stored as starch in the plant. The reaction can be summarised by the equation:
6CO2(g) + 6H2O light→ C6H12O6 + 6O2(g)
Describe the function of these compounds in living organisms.
Oxygen gas and glucose are required for aerobic (oxygen requiring) respiration in all living things. Aerobic respiration is the process in which cells break down glucose to provide energy for metabolic processes to support growth, movement and reproduction. The energy is stored in the chemical bonds in the glucose. It is released when the glucose is oxidised and stored as ATP (adenosine triphosphate) for use by the cell. Respiration can be summarised by the equation:
C6H12O6 + 6O2(g) → 6CO2(g) + 6H2O + energy as ATP (~30 ATP in eucaryotic cells)
Water is the medium in which all cellular reactions take place because it is the main constituent (part) of the cytosol (cytoplasm). It also provides structure for cells by creating pressure against the cell membrane to retain the shape of the cell. Movement of water provides a way in which substances can be transported around the cell and through the organism. For example, water carries dissolved substances in the blood in mammals and dissolved substances in the xylem of plants. (New HSC online).
I think the animation video will help students in understanding the concept of photosynthesis in detail and the global change website will help students to give a start in gathering required relevant information.
Dot point – 9.9.3.2 - analyse information from secondary sources to discuss and evaluate the potential uses of photosynthesis in replacing materials presently obtained from other non-renewable resources
- Anayse information you have gathered from popular scientific journals and the Internet by making generalisations and use the information to justify your statements.
For this particular dot point students are to identify the non renewable sources of energy and identify the potential uses of photosynthesis in replacing these non renewable sources of energy. Biomass is an alternate source to other non renewable sources of energy.
Biomass is organic material made from plants and animals (microorganisms). Biomass contains stored energy from the sun. Plants absorb the sun's energy in a process called photosynthesis. The chemical energy in plants gets passed on to animals and people that eat them.
Biomass is a renewable energy source because we can always grow more trees and crops, and waste will always exist. Some examples of biomass fuels are wood, crops, manure, and some garbage.
This website basically provides the glossary of various terms related to energy. This help the students to familiarize with some of the terms used in energy related context.
This website gives basic information on biomass energy, how can biomass be converted to various forms of energy, and how biomass be used as fuel. It provides information on how waste can be used to produce electricity.
This is another useful website giving introduction to photosynthesis and its application and future uses of the products from photosynthesis. This helps students in getting an overview of the process, structure and uses of photosynthesis.
This website tells all about biofuels research by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Biomass Program. And how biofuels can make a difference in our lives compared to non renewable sources of energy.
In short all these websites guides students in comparing and providing relevant information on renewable and non renewable sources of energy and get them introduced to the term biomass, how can it be produced and used as a promising source of energy in future.
Bibliography
- New HSC Online. The Department of Education and Training and Charles Sturt University. Retrieved from http://hsc.csu.edu.au/biology/options/biochemistry/
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