Career Academy Integrated Unit Plan
Academy Name: _E. Tech
Date Created: February 4, 2014
School: _UHS
Created by: W. Lastowski and H. Flynn
Integrated Unit Plan Title: Photosynthesis and Cell Biology
Courses to Integrate: Biology I Honors and Agriscience Foundations 1
Grade Level: 9
Timeline & Duration: 2 weeks
Unit Summary: Students will examine the processes of plant growth including photosynthesis (this unit) and cellular
respiration (last unit). They will also explore the cellular biology behind the process of photosynthesis and how the
biotechnology industry applies this knowledge to impact agriculture.
Overview of Activities/Lessons per Course
Course
Activity/Lesson
Activity/Lesson
Activity/Lesson
Agriscience
Foundations 1
Biology I Honors
Spinach cell
Microscopy Lab
Onion Cell and Elodea
Microscopy Activity
Rate of
Photosynthesis in Leaf
Discs Lab
Inquiry Lab: Design
your own lab to test
the impact of an
independent variable
of your choice on the
rate of photosynthesis
Measuring the Rate of
Respiration in Peas
Vernier
Photosynthesis Lab
Activity/Lesson
Design a Supercrop
Lesson Instructions for ___Agriscience Foundations 1:
Standards (Performance Tasks or Course Frameworks or Sunshine State Standards ):
Rigor & Relevance (quadrant): MACC.912.S-IC.2; SC.912.E.5.4; SC.912.L.14.2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 53; SC.912.L15.9, 14, 15;
SC.912.L.17.6, 12, 16, 17, 19; SC.912.L.18.7, 8, 9; SC.912.P.8.5, 7
Instructions to Teacher: Students should be taught cell biology (cell organelles, ATP, etc.) and the process of cellular
respiration and phosphorylation. Students should have a basic foundation of the process of photosynthesis (biology
class). Make sure that all students are not allergic to spinach leaves.
Instructions to Students: Activity 1 and 2 are pre-written labs with a set of procedures. Students should follow
procedures and follow lab safety rules. For activity 3, students need to design an experiment to answer a question of their
choice. They will include a research questions, hypothesis, and materials and methods. After conducting the experiment,
students should collect and analyze data to write a conclusion. The final activity requires students to apply their
knowledge of the process of photosynthesis to design a supercrop. If they were biotechnicians, what part of a plant cell
would they change to increase the rate of photosynthesis? They need to be specific and explain how it impacts
photosynthesis and what else in the cell would need to change.
Instructions for Student Accommodations: Due to the hands-on nature of the activities, the lessons accommodate to all
levels of students. Additionally, students can design an experiment as challenging as they are prepared for. They can ask
a research question that they feel comfortable testing and analyzing.
Assessment for Activity: Assessment includes the lab report written for the inquiry lab and the depth of understanding
shown in the last activity (Design a Supercrop).
Approximate Length of Time for Activity: One week.
Materials Needed: Spinach leaves, microscopes, Sodium Bicarbonate, syringes, water, beakers, tweezers, various
materials depending on students’ independent variables.
Resources Needed: Labs designed by Craig Kohn.
Attachments:
Lesson Instructions for ___Biology I Honors___ (course):
Next Generation Sunshine State Standards:
SC.912.L.14.3, SC.912.L.18.7, SC.912.L.18.8, SC.912.L.18.9
Instructions to Teacher: Review cell organelles and work with students to construct a Venn diagram that distinguishes
plant and animal cells. Provide instruction for the overall processes of cell respiration and photosynthesis, including
reactants, products, and the interrelated nature of the two processes. Identify and emphasize the location of each
process, with respect to cell organelle.
Instructions to Students:
Activity 1: Onion Cell and Elodea Microscopy Activity
Students review proper usage of the compound light microscope and are introduced to the technique for preparing wet
mount slides. Students prepare labeled sketches followed by a compare and contrast of non-photosynthetic plants cells
(onion cells) and photosynthetic plants cells (Elodea). Cyclosis, also known as the streaming of the cytoplasm, can be
observed in the Elodea cells.
Activity 2: Measuring the Rate of Respiration in Peas
Students, using a Vernier CO2 sensor integrated with a LabQuest device, measure the amount carbon dioxide produced
by non-germinating pea seeds and germinating pea seeds at both room temperature and below room temperature. The
rate of respiration is calculated for each condition by performing a linear regression of each data set. Students then use
this information to observe and determine how environmental conditions influence cellular respiration.
Activity 3: Vernier Photosynthesis Lab
Using Vernier probeware integrated with a LabQuest device, students monitor the consumption of carbon dioxide and the
production of oxygen gas associated with the process of photosynthesis. This data can be used to support the equation of
photosynthesis. The LabQuest device also allows the student to observe these changes graphically and to calculate a
rate of photosynthesis by means of linear regression (the slope of the line is equal to the rate). This lab can be used as an
inquiry exercise to allow students to explore the various factors that influence the rate of photosynthesis.
Instructions for Student Accommodations: The hands-on nature of the lab activities allows for differentiated instruction
which provides for appropriate accommodations that are suitable to all levels of student performance.
Assessment for Activity: Students will prepare a formal written lab report, modeling scientific process, for both the
respiration and photosynthesis lab activities in accordance with the district lab report requirement.
Approximate Length of Time for Activity: 2 weeks
Materials Needed: compound light microscope, glass slides and coverslips, white onion, Elodea, small beaker, forceps,
pipettes, water, pea seeds (germinating and non-germinating), ice, large Styrofoam cups, thermometer, spinach leaves,
Vernier biochamber, Vernier LabQuest, Vernier probeware (O2 and CO2 sensors)
Resources Needed: Vernier Lab Activities for Cell Respiration and Photosynthesis
Attachments: