Article 4: Psychedelic Space Plants

Did you ever wonder why plants are green and not red?

If plants were to absorb green and reflect red we would have magenta colored palm trees. This article from Discovery Magazine discusses how plants evolved chlorophyll to absorb red and blue rays from the sun and reflect the green.  The ozone and oxygen in the earth's atmosphere absorb the blue and ultraviolet leaving more red to pass through. What happens if there is a sun cooler or hotter than the earth's sun?   Read the article and find out how plants may have different colors depending on the rays they absorb and the rays they reflect.
This article is good for a class discussion to see what color plants we could have if we had extra-solar planets.

Saarman, E. (2007, April 11). Psychedelic Space Plants.Discover Magazine, Retrieved from http://discovermagazine.com/2007/apr/space-plants/?searchterm=photosynthesis

Website 4: Photosynthesis Quizzes and Games

                                                                           

This website NeoK12 has educational videos, lessons and games for all grade levels.  Go to this interactive fun-filled website and see what you know about the process of photosynthesis.   It has two quizzes where you click on  a question card then click on an answer card to reveal a picture.  You will also find two diagrams to label, one on the photosynthesis and one on the anatomy of a leaf.  The vocabulary game presents a photosynthesis related word, a question, and you have to answer yes or no. All the games and quizzes are grade-level appropriate.  I think it is a great assessment tool where you can test yourself and see how much you have learned.  There is also an extensive list of educational videos on photosynthesis.

(n.d.).  Photosynthesis. Retrieved from http://www.neok12.com/Photosynthesis.htm

Video 4: Photosynthesis Rap         

                                     

WARNING:  After watching this video you might find yourself singing this Photosynthesis rap!

This rap is by Rhythm, Rhyme, & Results.  The images that accompany the rap go very well with it.  The rap explains the process of photosynthesis step by step. It lists all the reactants, where they are found,  and the products of the reaction.  It goes to the more detailed phases, the light reactions, the Calvin Cycle and where they occur. It also shows the importance of photosynthesis to life. It is amazing how much material is covered through one song.

I think it is a great review of the whole process of photosynthesis, the repetition of the lyrics will definitely  help you remember what photosynthesis is all about.  It is a great way to learn the process if you do better with visual learning.

ImThankfulForBiology. (2009, Dec. 5). Photosynthesis Rap. [Video file]. Retrieved from:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pE82qtKSSH4&feature=related

Book 4:  Photosynthesis

                       

Do you know what happens in the electron transport cycle of photosynthesis?  

Do you want to know why and how photosynthesis is an important biological function?

You will find these answers and much more in this book. According to the reviews I read, this book covers all aspects of photosynthesis.  Although the book might be more of a college level,  you will be able to use it because it explains some of the most complex concepts in a user-friendly way.  It includes many colorful illustrations and plates which make this complex topic simpler.  I wil assign some reading from it. I will also use it in class because it includes a set of experiments that are described and explained.

Hall, D. O., & Rao, K. K. (1997). Photosynthesis: Studies in biology. (Sixth ed.). Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press.

Book 3: Eating the Sun: How Plants Power the Planet

Did you know that the number of pigments needed to produce one molecule of oxygen in sunlight is 2480? This is an example of what you will find in this wonderful book.

The reviews I read on this book are excellent.  The author of the book,  Oliver Morton, is an award winning science journalist.  Eating the Sun is not only about plants and photosynthesis, it is about our planet.  It has three main parts. in first part, Morton describes the process of photosynthesis, traces back the history of photosynthesis and the scientists involved.  In the second par,t Morton discusses how plants might have played a role in developing animal life and the third part discusses human activity and climate changes.

I chose this book because it integrates the process of photosynthesis with history, scientists' discoveries and the concept that plants might have kick-started the cycle of life.  How interesting is that? Skim through some pages by going to the link.  I will be assigning reading from the book so we can have discussions.

Morton, O. (2009). Eating the Sun.: How Plants Power the Planet. New York, NY: Harper Collins.

Video 3: Photosynthesis - Biology in a Few Minutes

                                                                                                 

                   
Do you know the equation of photosynthesis?  Do you know that photosynthesis involves a light dependent reaction and a light independent reaction (Calvin Cycle)? Where does each reaction occur? What are the reactants in each and what are the ending products?

Watch this video and see if you can answer some or all of these questions.  This video does not have animation or colorful diagrams but it answers all these question by creating a very informative chart and explaining how you get to the final equation of photosynthesis.

pisgahscience. (2009, October 14). Photosynthesis: Biology in a Few Minutes[Video file].  Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BeUmj8d6Mag&feature=fvwrel

Website 3: Sweet Secret: How Plants Use the Calvin Cycle to Make Sugar out of Thin Air

This website from National Geographic is a fun and interactive website about the Calvin Cycle.  The Calvin Cycle is a part of the photosynthesis process.  You will find an interesting article about the Calvin Cycle, a great illustration of the cycle as well as plant photos. There is a vocabulary tab section where you can enhance your scientific vocabulary. The set up  is geared for ages 11-18 so you will enjoy it.

By reading the article, you will found out that the cycle is named after the Chemistry Nobel Prize winner Dr. Melvin Calvin, who was nicknamed "Mr. Photosynthesis". You will find fun facts about how and where he came to his discovery and also learn about the cycle in detail.

Shons, M. (2010, December 6). National Geographic Education. Sweet Secret: How Plants Use the Calvin Cycle to Make Sugar Out of Thin Air. Retrieved from http://education.nationalgeographic.com/education/news/sweet-secret/?ar_a=2&ar_r=3

Article 3:  How Artificial Photosynthesis Works

When it comes to finding the cheapest and smartest source of energy, plants seem to be smarter than humans!

Can we learn from plants by using the same energy that plants use to get the products we want?  What research is being done in this field?  Will we be able to use artificial photosynthesis on a large scale?  What are the challanges in creating artificial photosynthesis?  What are the advantages?

Read this 4 page article in the link below and try to find answers for these questions.  In this article the author explains that an artificial photosynthesis system or photoelectrochemical cells  that mimic photosynthesis in plants could in the future create inexpensive supply of gas and electricity. The article discusses what research has been done so far in this field, the application for artificial photosynthesis, and why artificial photosynthesis is not as easy to design as some other energy converting systems.
You will be happy to know how learning about plants may help us discover new sources of energy!

Link How Stuff Works

Layton, J. (n.d.). How Artificial Photosynthesis Works. Retrieved from http://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/green-tech/energy-production/artificial-photosynthesis.htm

Trade Book 2:

Seeds, Stems, And Stamens: The: Susan E. Goodman 

This book is an NSTA/CBC Outstanding Science Trade Book.  After reading the reviews I decided that it will be a good addition to this blog because seeds, stems an stamens are important parts of plant form and function.  According to the reviews, the book links plant anatomy to plant adaptation. The concepts are introduced through questions and it has outstanding photographs.  Although the book is for a lower grade level I think it is a good book for you to see how plants change form to adapt to different environments. You will use it as extra reading material to learn more about plant structure.

Goodman, S. (2001). Seeds, Stems, and Stamens: The Ways Plants Fit Into The World. Minneapolis, MN: Millbrook Press.

Website 2:  Science Class

This is an interactive website that is a resource initially set up with student, teachers and parents in mind.  I suggest you visit this website and spend some time learning more about photosynthesis.   It has a lot of activities for different grade levels. I liked how the resources are appropriate for grades 5 through 9 so choose the ones for you or see what other levels might have. You can browse and look at slideshows or do some of the activities that are for high school students. I think you will enjoy the interactive animation section and you can even test yourself by taking some of the online quizes.  The website is very useful because it also has study and review notes and vocabulary development on photosynthesis.

Science-Class. Photosynthesis and Cellular Respiration. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.science-class.net/Biology/Photosynthesis.htm

Article 2:  Plant Structure and Function

This article from the University of Illinois at Chicago is a great outline on plant structure and function in angiosperms which are the most common type of plants: flowering plants. It starts by outlining some differences between monocots and dicots (2 groups within angiosperms).  It then outlines all the cell types in the plant body, plant tissue and finally talks about plant growth.  It is a very organized article that will come in handy anytime you want to know about the different parts of the plant. You will like how it is written in an outline form with bullets.

This is a picture from the article, many more if you go to the link.

University of Illinois at Chicago. BioLabs 100. (n.d).  Plant Structure and Function. Retrieved from http://www.uic.edu/classes/bios/bios100/labs/plantanatomy.htm

Video 2  :  What is Photosynthesis?

This video is an introduction to photosynthesis.  It is basic yet very informative.  I really liked how it starts with defining all the raw materials that are needed for photosynthesis and it shows their chemical formulas. It then explains how the plants obtain the raw material from the environment and finally it shows the equation of photosynthesis. 
This video is a good basis for learning how to write the photosynthesis formula and how glucose and oxygen are the end products.  It is a good start for learning how plants make their own food.  I will be posting more videos that explains the process in more detail later on so let us learn the basics first.

drolly00. (2011, October 16). What is Photosynthesis [Video file]. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eJQxHoqIPIM

Website:  Plant Cell Anatomy

This is a fun website called The Enchanted Learning.  You will enjoy this website because it was designed for curious minds. The illustration of the plant cell is very colorful and the labeling is very clear.  It also has a glossary of plant cell anatomy parts such as the cell wall, chlorophyll, chloroplast and also the functions of all the different plant cell organells.  The glossary is very easy to read and will be a great help for you whenever you want to remember any plant anatomy cell part. 

Fun Activity: Quiz yourself by printing the "Label Me" print out of a plant cell from the website.  Practice labeling all the parts of a plant cell and see how much you know!

Plant Cell Anatomy. (n.d.). Enchanted Learning. Retrieved from http://www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/plants/cell/

Book:  
Photosynthesis (Science Concepts Second) 

From reading reviews about this book it seems to be a good introduction on photosynthesis. It explains the process and the history of discoveries.   The book combines both general reading and research material done in this field. The combination of the facts about photosynthesis and the great photographs makes it a good book to have.  The book also makes you see how photosynthesis is used in the real world by describing materials in life that are dependent on this process. I think it is a good book to have and you can always refer to it if you have any questions about photosynthesis.

Silverstein, A. & Silverstein, V. & Nun, L.S. (2008). Photosynthesis (Science Concepts Second). Minneapolis, MN: Twenty First Century Books.