Powers of Ten Photosynthesis Power point
Power point to accompany Carbon Teaching Experiment
Written by: Jonathon SchrammA, Eric KeelingB, Dijanna FigueroaC, Lindsay MohanA,
Michele JohnsonC, and Charles W. AndersonA
Culturally relevant ecology, learning progressions and environmental literacy
Long Term Ecological Research Math Science Partnership
2012
Disclaimer: This research is supported by a grant from the National Science Foundation: Targeted Partnership:
Culturally relevant ecology, learning progressions and environmental literacy (NSF-0832173). Any opinions, findings,
and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily
reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.
Powers of Ten
----Photosynthesis
The National High Magnetic Field Laboratory
Scale: 103 meters = 1 km = 1 kilometer
MSP Carbon Teaching
Nearby trees, the lake and laboratory roof
Scale: 102 meters = 100 meters
MSP Carbon Teaching
Top of a large tree
Scale: 101 meter = 10 meters
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A branch with leaves
Scale: 100 meters = 1 meter: Light takes about 3
nanoseconds to cross this picture
MSP Carbon Teaching
Magnified tree leaves
Scale: 10-1 meters = 0.1 meter = 10 centimeters
MSP Carbon Teaching
Cells on leaf surface
cutaway view
vertical view
Scale: 10-3 meters = 1 mm = 1 millimeter
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Zooming into a mesophyll cell
Scale: 10-4 meters = 100 µm = 100 micrometers
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Diagram of an individual leaf cell
Scale: 10-5 meters = 10 µm = 10 micrometers
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Chloroplast
Scale: 10-6 meters = 1 µm = 1 micrometer
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Thylakoid
Scale: 10-7 meters = 100nm = 100 nanometers
MSP Carbon Teaching
Energy Outputs
Energy Inputs
Process: Photosynthesis
(plant living in the light)
Matter Inputs
Matter Outputs
Solid
Solid
Liquid
Liquid
Gas
Gas
Scale: Macro
MSP Carbon Teaching
Energy Outputs
Energy Inputs
Light Energy
Process: Photosynthesis
(plant living in the light)
Matter Inputs
Matter Outputs
Glucose
Solid
Water
Chemical Energy
+ Heat
Solid
Liquid
Liquid
Oxygen
Carbon Dioxide
Gas
Gas
Scale: Macro
Which of these remain in
the tree?
MSP Carbon Teaching
Energy Outputs
Energy Inputs
Process: Photosynthesis
(plant living in the light)
Matter Inputs
Matter Outputs
Solid
Solid
Liquid
Liquid
Gas
Gas
Scale: Micro
MSP Carbon Teaching
Energy Outputs
Energy Inputs
Light Energy
Process: Photosynthesis
(plant living in the light)
Matter Inputs
Matter Outputs
C6H12O6
Solid
H2O
Liquid
CO2
Gas
Chemical Energy
+ Heat
Solid
Liquid
O2
Gas
Scale: Micro
Which of these remain in
the tree?
MSP Carbon Teaching
Energy Outputs
Energy Inputs
Process: Photosynthesis
(plant living in the light)
Matter Inputs
Matter Outputs
Solid
Solid
Liquid
Liquid
Gas
Gas
Scale: Atomic-Molecular
MSP Carbon Teaching
Click here to see video
Energy Outputs
Energy Inputs
Light Energy
Process: Photosynthesis
(plant living in the light)
Matter Inputs
Chemical Energy
+ Heat
Matter Outputs
Solid
Solid
Liquid
Liquid
Gas
Gas
Scale: Atomic-Molecular
Which of these remain in
the tree?
MSP Carbon Teaching