Where Do I Get The Energy?
An Internet Sampler Exploring Photosynthesis and Cellular Respiration
Introduction | Internet Activities | Conclusion
Introduction
The purpose of this web page is to let you explore the reactions of photosynthesis and cellular respiration by
viewing a number of sites and animations from the World Wide Web. Good luck and have fun! You may
complete these Internet activities alone or by working in a pair. Answer the questions on a separate sheet to be
turned in to your regular biology teacher.
Internet Activities
PHOTOSYNTHESIS
Introduction to Photosynthesis
Activity : Look over this summary of photosythesis.
Check out the diagrams and gorgeous picture of stomata! Answer the following multiple choose questions:
1. The organic molecule produced directly by photosynthesis is:
a) lipids b) sugar c) amino acids d) DNA
2. The photosynthetic process removes ___ from the environment.
a) water b) sugar c) oxygen d) chlorophyll e) carbon dioxide
3. The process of splitting water to release hydrogens and electrons occurs during the _____ process.
a) light dependent b) light independent c) carbon fixation d) carbon photophosphorylation e)
glycolysis
4. The process of fixing carbon dioxide into carbohydrates occurs in the ____ process.
a) light dependent b) light independent c) ATP synthesis d) carbon photophosphorylation e)
glycolysis
5. Carbon dioxide enters the leaf through ____.
a) chloroplasts b) stomata c) cuticle d) mesophyll cells e) leaf veins
A nice little animation of the light reaction
In the Thylakoid Membrane - another Light Reaction animation
Light Reaction Z
Activity : Look at the animations above of the light reaction and answer the following questions:
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What happens when Photosystem II absorbs sunlight?
Where do the electrons from Photosystem II go?
From where does Photosystem II regain its electrons?
To whom does Photosystem I give its electrons?
What powers ATP Synthase to make ATP?
Where do the newly formed ATP and NADH go?
THE DARK REACTION
Calvin Cycle animation
Activity : Look at the following animations of the reaction called either the Dark Reaction, or the Light
Independent reaction or the Calvin/Benson Cycle, or the C3 Cycle. Answer the questions below:
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What does Rubisco do? What are its two substrates?
What does the enzyme Rubisco produce?
What is needed to transform low energy PGA into high energy G3P?
How many ATPs are need to regenerate each RuBP?
THE ORIGIN OF CHLOROPLASTS AND MITOCHONDRIA EXPLAINED
Endosymbiotic Theory
Activity: You can view this tutorial as a movie if you have sound or step-wise with captions if not. After
viewing this tutorial try the quiz and answer the following questions:
1. What structures do mitochondria and chloroplasts have that are more similar to prokaryotes than
eukaryotes?
2. Which organelle, mitochondrion and chloroplast, is probably the descendent of Cyanobacteria, a
photosynthetic bacteria?
3. According to biologist Lynn Margulis which organelle ancestor the first to be ingested?
AEROBIC CELLULAR RESPIRATION
Respiration explained
Activity : Look at this site and answer the following questions:
1. Which metabolic pathway occurs in cytoplasm of all living things but does not require O2?
2. What is the fuel burnt in cellular respiration?
Lecture note outline on Respiration
Activity : Look at this site and answer the following questions:
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What is the goal of glycolysis?
What does glycolysis produce?
What is the goal of the Kreb Cycle?
What are the products of the Kreb Cycle for one glucose molecule?
What is the goal of the Electron Transport Chain?
Glycolysis animation
Activity :
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State the products in glycolysis.
Does glycolysis require oxygen?
Where does Glycolysis occurs in the cell?
What are the 2 ATPs needed for in the first step of glycolysis?
What is the net gain of ATP per glucose?
How many NADH molecules are formed per glucose?
KREB CYCLE (also called the Citric Acid Cycle, the Tricarboxylic Acid Cycle or TCA cycle)
Kreb Cycle animation
Activity: Look at this animation of the Kreb Cycle and answer the following questions:
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How does the pyruvate enter the mitochondria?
When pyruvate is converted to Acetyl CoA, what else is produced?
What molecule combines with Oxaloacetate (a 4 carbon molecule) to for Citrate (a 6 carbon molecule)?
What does one pyruvate produce after one cycle?
Citric Acid Cycle an detailed
Activity : Hit the energy tab and click on the arrow to view this animation. Answer the following question:
1. The Citric Acid or TCA cycle is the major source of what molecules?
ELECTRON TRANSPORT CHAIN
Electron Transport Chain animation
Activity : View the animation and answer the following questions:
1. From where and to where are protons transported when NADH passes its electrons to the ETC?
2. What molecule is produced when oxygen accepts the electrons from the ETC?
3. When NADH passes electrons to the ETC, three protein channels are opened allowing protons to pass
through the membrane. How many H+ channels are activated by FADH?
4. How is potential energy harnessed by ATP Synthase to make ATP?
Another look at an ETC animation
Activity : Click on Go tab and view this animation to review the Mitochondrial Electron Transport.
Conclusion We hope you've had fun while exploring this search of energy harvesting reactions and have
found things that have deepened your knowledge and understanding of photosynthesis and cellular respiration.
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More Links:
Photosynthesis explained
lecture notes on photosynthesis
More Photosynthesis explained
Hug A Tree!
Photosynthesis Information
Introduction to Cellular Respiration and Metabolism
Cellular Respiration Information
Respiration problem set