6 Days
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Biology: Photosynthesis Module
IScS: Integrated Science Semester
Biology: Photosynthesis Module (Sample Curriculum)
Integrated
Module
Summary
The Photosynthesis Module explains the interactions of light wavelengths and plants to capture light
energy and with it produce sugars and carbohydrates. Students learn about the electromagnetic
spectrum and how the sun is the source of all life on the planet.
Module
Summaries
The biology component examines the systems that plants use to capture light and sequester carbon
dioxide use it to produce oxygen and carbohydrates.
Learning
Outcomes
Students will understand:
• The requirements and outcomes of photosynthesis
• The physical structures necessary to complete photosynthesis
• The chemical steps of photosynthesis
• How intensity of light, temperature and CO2 levels impact the rate of photosynthesis
Objectives
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Materials
Describe the overall process of photosynthesis using deductive reasoning and sorting through
pieces of information (making logical connections)
Define key terms involved in the process of photosynthesis
Model the process of photosynthesis
Gather and analyze data on the rate of photosynthesis
Describe how the intensity of light, temperature and CO2 levels impact the rate of
photosynthesis.
Prep Highlighted items before class.
Lecture
 Whiteboard
 Projector and Computer with Microsoft PowerPoint and connection to the internet.
Lab 1: Oxygen Production Lab
 4- small (15x150 mm) test tubes
 4- large (25x150 mm) test tubes
 Test tube rack
 Solution of Sodium Bicarbonate in water.
 DI water
 Fresh Elodea stems
 Desk lamp and/or sunlit window
 Labeling tape
 Forceps
 Ruler
6 Days
Procedure
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Biology: Photosynthesis Module
IScS: Integrated Science Semester
DAY ONE: INTRODUCTION TO PHOTOSYNTHESIS
WARM-UP/REVIEW: Kinesthetic activity (~10 minutes)
Preparation: If you have a large open area in your classroom, you can conduct this part of the
activity inside. Otherwise, you will need to plan to go outdoors, or into the hallway or common
space.
1) Write the equation for photosynthesis and respiration on the board (or on a large piece of
paper if you must leave the classroom):
2) Each student is given the role of a molecule of carbon, hydrogen, or oxygen. Depending on
the size of your class, some students may need to be assigned the role of two molecules of
the same element. For example, you may need to give one student two “H’s” instead of one
“H.”
a. First, instruct the students to position themselves so that they represent the
reactants of the photosynthesis equation. (Remember to assign a student to the
role of “sun,” “+” and “yields”.)
b. Once students have gotten into the correct positions give each group of molecules
the name of the substance that they represent (carbon dioxide or water).
c. Next, have the students position themselves so that they represent the products of
the photosynthesis equation. Once the students have positioned themselves
correctly give each group of molecules the name of the substance they represent
(glucose or oxygen). The idea is that students will realize that the very same carbon
atoms that make up carbon dioxide make up the backbone for the glucose molecule.
Now hold up the respiration equation.
d. First have the students position themselves to represent the reactants for
respiration. Again, when they are correctly positioned, give the names of the
substances that they represent to the groups of molecules (oxygen and glucose).
e. Next, have the students position themselves so that they represent the products of
the respiration equation. Once the students have positioned themselves, give the
groups of molecules the names of the substances they represent (carbon dioxide
and water).
Now that the students have had a kinesthetic learning experience return the classroom to order and
show students the following video from youtube to briefly introduce them to the topic of
Photosynthesis. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mYbMPwmwx88 (~5 min)
6 Days
Page 3 of 3
Biology: Photosynthesis Module
IScS: Integrated Science Semester
EXPLAIN
Present a PowerPoint (61405p1) that introduces students to the concepts of Photosynthesis and
focuses on the light dependent reactions.
Note: Please make sure PowerPoint is set to “Presenter Mode” in order to see the notes associated
with each slide. More information is available at http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/powerpointhelp/what-is-presenter-view-HA010360578.aspx
ENGAGE
Show students the following videos
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PjdPTY1wHdQ (3 min – ATP synthase)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RFl25vSElaE (4 min – light reaction simulation)
EXPLORE Lab 1: Oxygen Production Lab
Lab Handout:
61420h1 Biology Oxygen Production Lab.doc
61420h2 Biology Oxygen Production Lab.doc
INTERPRET
Work with students to complete handout 91420h2.
Associated
Readings
DAY ONE: INTRODUCTION TO PHOTOSYNTHESIS
TEXTBOOK READINGS
Section
Page
Topic
Integrated Science
338
Chemical Reactions in Cells (ATP)
15.9
339
Photosynthesis
Sources
Image Sources
photoconcentrations.jpg
By: SeaWiFS Project, NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center and ORBIMAGE (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0
(http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)]
607px-Leaf2chlorophyll.png
By Rozzychan (Own work) [CC BY-SA 2.5], via Wikimedia Commons, Wikibooks.
http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/File:Leaf2chlorophyll.png
Figure_08_01_06.jpg
Figure_08_01_04.jpg
Figure_08_01_03.jpg
By OpenStax College. [CC BY SA 3.0]
Overview of Photosynthesis, OpenStax-CNX Web site.
http://cnx.org/content/m44447/1.8/