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Photosynthesis & Cellular Respiration – Understanding the Basics of Bioenergetics and Biosynthesis

Photosynthesis and cellular respiration cycle with the hydrolysis of ATP

In this minds-on activity, students analyze how photosynthesis, cellular respiration, and the hydrolysis of ATP provide energy for biological processes in plant cells.

Students learn that the glucose produced by photosynthesis are used for cellular respiration and for the synthesis of other organic molecules.

The final section challenges students to use their understanding of photosynthesis and cellular respiration to explain observed changes in biomass for plants growing in the light vs. dark.

The Teacher Notes suggest three possible additions to this learning activity. (NGSS)

The Student Handout is available in the first two attached files and as a Google doc designed for use in distance learning and online instruction. (For additional instructions, see https://serendipstudio.org/exchange/bioactivities/Googledocs, especially item 7.) The Teacher Notes, available in the last two attached files, provide instructional suggestions and background information and explain how this activity is aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards.

Attachment	Size
photosynthesis cellular respiration SHO.docx	1.35 MB
photosynthesis cellular respiration SHO.pdf	408.63 KB
photosynthesis cellular respiration TN.docx	1.42 MB
photosynthesis cellular respiration TN.pdf	760.97 KB

Comments

2021 revision

Submitted by iwaldron on Fri, 10/08/2021 - 9:06am.

I have streamlined and clarified the Student Handout. I have reorganized the Teacher Notes and added some relevant information.

Ingrid

2018 Revision Question 15

Submitted by L Nesbitt (guest) on Fri, 02/22/2019 - 4:58pm.

I am trying to find the results for question 15 of the 2018 revision so I can share/show my students. Is it just that time of year where I'm missing the information in the teacher notes? Thanks!

Information for question 15

Submitted by iwaldron on Sat, 02/23/2019 - 10:23am.

The information you need is shown on the bottom of page 6 of the Teacher Notes. For additional information you may want to write iwaldron@upenn.edu to request a key.

Ingrid

Thanks! I did miss that

Submitted by L Nesbitt (guest) on Tue, 02/26/2019 - 9:16am.

Thanks! I did miss that completely when looking over the teacher notes.

2018 revision

Submitted by iwaldron on Wed, 11/14/2018 - 1:04pm.

The 2018 revision of the Student Handout has clarified the concepts and questions.

Link

Submitted by Link stanly (guest) on Mon, 11/12/2018 - 9:28pm.

Does anyone have a link to a teachers key so I can grade?

Key

Submitted by iwaldron on Tue, 11/13/2018 - 5:17pm.

Please see the Teacher Notes for much useful information, including instructions about how to get a key. No keys for any of these activities are available online, so students will think about the answers to the questions instead of copying the answers.

Ingrid Waldron

October 2016 Revision

Submitted by iwaldron on Thu, 10/27/2016 - 12:00pm.

The Student Handout has been revised to improve student understanding and learning. The revisions of the Teacher Notes include the addition of introductory and follow-up storyboards; I recommend that you use the storyboards to enhance student understanding and retention of important concepts.

2016 revision

Submitted by iwaldron on Wed, 08/03/2016 - 2:53pm.

This activity has been entirely revised to help students develop a sophisticated understanding of the basics processes of photosynthesis and cellular respiration. New sections develop student understanding that the (1) products of photosynthesis are used not only for cellular respiration, but also to synthesize plant molecules and (2) photosynthesis can increase plant biomass and cellular respiration can decrease plant biomass, so changes in a plant’s biomass depends on the balance between photosynthesis and cellular respiration. An answer key is now available for this activity.

photo and cell resp

Submitted by Serendip Visitor (guest) on Thu, 04/09/2015 - 9:42pm.

Answer key?

Answer key

Submitted by iwaldron on Sat, 04/11/2015 - 7:19am.

We do not have a key for this activity, but I believe that the information in "Cellular Respiration and Photosynthesis – Important Concepts, Common Misconceptions and Learning Activities (/exchange/bioactivities/cellrespiration) should make it relatively easy to prepare a key. In addition, you may want to consult a good introductory textbook, since the information needed is generally covered in introductory biology textbooks. If you have any additional specific questions, please let me know and I will be happy to answer your questions.