Energy for Cells
This 350 million year old fossil of ferns gives us something to think about. We know plants do photosynthesis. Did plants do photosynthesis last week? last month? last year? 100 years ago? 350 million years ago? Yup to all of the above.
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Episode 16: Ancient Death Ray
is it possible to set a wooden boat on fire with just the power of sunlight? A lot of mirrors get broken.
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Brainpop: Photosynthesis
Tim shows us close-ups of leaves and explains the process of photosynthesis. Moby has too much sugar.
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If you are looking at part of a plant and it is green, that is where photosynthesis is happening. The green color comes from the presence of organelles called chloroplasts. Most commonly, chloroplasts are found in leaves.
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Identify and color code different parts of a leaf.
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Read in detail about the form and function of leaves.
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Now that you know what to look for, peek at a leaf image through a microscope, and draw it.
Describe how gases flow from the alligator to the plants and back again.
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Describe how both the panda and the bamboo get their fuel. Describe how gases flow from the panda to the bamboo and back again.
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Learn details about photosynthesis from the textbook, then be challenged by a photosynthesis puzzle.
Does photosynthesis happen underwater? As long as there is sunlight and algae or plants with chlorophyll in their leaves. The underwater animals still contribute carbon dioxide gas to and receive oxygen from the water, and the plants or algae still release oxygen into the water and extract carbon dioxide from it.
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Correctly label a diagram to show what is needed and what is made during photosynthesis. Little pictures in the diagram will give you hints, and you will have a word bank, so don't worry.
At the county fair, or similar events, you can usually find someone making cotton candy. Tiny pieces of wet colored sugar blow around in a container, and are collected on a cardboard cone that you hold.
A similar thing happens in your cells. Your blood carries fuel to each cell as glucose (sugar), and the mitochondria in each cell turn the glucose into energy.
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It helps to think of mitochondria as a power plant, like the one out in Moss Landing. The power plant receives fuel, and turns it into energy (electricity). While the power plant is operating, it releases exhaust (steam).
In mitochondria, the organelle receives fuel (glucose) and turns it into energy (ATP) that the cell can use.
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Brainpop: Cellular Respiration
Tim explains the difference between breathing and cellular respiration, and shows the paths that oxygen and carbon dioxide take in your body. Moby freaks out and turns to medication to relax.
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The textbook will give you some more details on how cells use their energy, once the fuel is processed by the mitochondria.
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The next time you see a vehicle spewing out black smoke, think of mitochondria. What you are seeing coming out of the back of the vehicle is exhaust from its engine (which really needs the help of a good mechanic). The engine has taken fuel and burned it up to make the engine pistons move, powering the car. The exhaust is made of the gases left over after the fuel has combusted (burned).
In mitochondria, glucose (fuel) enters the organelle and is turned into ATP, which different parts of the cell use for energy so they can perform their particular functions. Carbon dioxide is released as the exhaust from the process, which is removed from cell by blood, which carries it to the lungs where you breathe it out.
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Brainpop: Metabolism
Tim explains how mitochondria work after you eat food. Moby tries to get him to eat something disgusting, yet nautical.
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A quick section out of the textbook, reviewing what you just learned from the Brainpop.
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This is a nifty little diagram filled with pictures for you to label, showing the cycle of fuel and gases in cellular respiration and photosynthesis. Yes, it does come with a word bank.
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We're learning about cycles, so an image of a bicycle seemed appropriate. Think about how many parts of a bicycle keep going around and returning to the same position over and over again: the wheels, the chain, the pedals, etc. This pattern applies to the cycle of gases and fuel that exists between photosynthesis and cellular respiration.
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A crossword filled with terms related to photosynthesis and cellular respiration. And of course, it comes with a word bank.
How is going on a roller-coaster like the energy cycle between photosynthesis and cellular respiration?
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If animals need fuel, they have to eat. They cannot make the food within their own cells.
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Even a vegetarian needs to eat!
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Take a virtual field trip to the swamps of Venezuela to study anacondas. You will analyze photosynthesis and cellular respiration happening around these huge reptiles. Expect to see anacondas, capybaras, and piranha. NOM NOM NOM!
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