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Plant Growth Puzzle – Photosynthesis, Biosynthesis and Cellular Respiration

Photosynthesis and cellular respiration cycle with the hydrolysis of ATP

This minds-on analysis and discussion activity challenges students to explain changes in biomass for plants growing in the light vs. dark. Students analyze how photosynthesis, biosynthesis, and cellular respiration affect biomass.

The Teacher Notes suggest three possible additions to this activity that expand student understanding of photosynthesis, cellular respiration, hydrolysis of ATP, biosynthesis, and starch. (NGSS)

The Student Handout is available in the first two attached files and as a Google doc designed for use in distance learning and online instruction. (For additional instructions, see https://serendipstudio.org/exchange/bioactivities/Googledocs, especially item 7.) The Teacher Notes, available in the last two attached files, provide instructional suggestions and background information and explain how this activity is aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards.

Attachment	Size
plant growth puzzle SH.docx	1.98 MB
plant growth puzzle SH.pdf	250.88 KB
plant growth puzzle TN.docx	1.25 MB
plant growth puzzle TN.pdf	470 KB

Comments

2024 revision

Submitted by iwaldron on Tue, 10/15/2024 - 3:38pm.

I have totally revised this activity to focus on the phenomenon of changes in biomass for seeds sprouting in the light and in the dark. Students interpret the data, based on their understanding of the effects of photosynthesis, biosynthesis and cellular respiration on changes in biomass.

Ingrid

Plant Growth Puzzle Google Doc file

Submitted by Gina Marando (guest) on Fri, 10/25/2024 - 6:15am.

Hello Ingrid,
I am not able to access the Google Doc that is linked at the top of this webpage. It is prompting me to ask you for access. Is that how you would like me to proceed? Thank you!
Gina Marando

Google Doc access

Submitted by iwaldron on Fri, 10/25/2024 - 8:29am.

I believe the problem has been fixed. If you are encountering any difficulty please contact me at iwaldron@upenn.edu.

Ingrid

2021 revision

Submitted by iwaldron on Fri, 10/08/2021 - 8:06am.

I have streamlined and clarified the Student Handout. I have reorganized the Teacher Notes and added some relevant information.

Ingrid

2018 Revision Question 15

Submitted by L Nesbitt (guest) on Fri, 02/22/2019 - 3:58pm.

I am trying to find the results for question 15 of the 2018 revision so I can share/show my students. Is it just that time of year where I'm missing the information in the teacher notes? Thanks!

Information for question 15

Submitted by iwaldron on Sat, 02/23/2019 - 9:23am.

The information you need is shown on the bottom of page 6 of the Teacher Notes. For additional information you may want to write iwaldron@upenn.edu to request a key.

Ingrid

Thanks! I did miss that

Submitted by L Nesbitt (guest) on Tue, 02/26/2019 - 8:16am.

Thanks! I did miss that completely when looking over the teacher notes.

2018 revision

Submitted by iwaldron on Wed, 11/14/2018 - 12:04pm.

The 2018 revision of the Student Handout has clarified the concepts and questions.

Link

Submitted by Link stanly (guest) on Mon, 11/12/2018 - 8:28pm.

Does anyone have a link to a teachers key so I can grade?

Key

Submitted by iwaldron on Tue, 11/13/2018 - 4:17pm.

Please see the Teacher Notes for much useful information, including instructions about how to get a key. No keys for any of these activities are available online, so students will think about the answers to the questions instead of copying the answers.

Ingrid Waldron

October 2016 Revision

Submitted by iwaldron on Thu, 10/27/2016 - 11:00am.

The Student Handout has been revised to improve student understanding and learning. The revisions of the Teacher Notes include the addition of introductory and follow-up storyboards; I recommend that you use the storyboards to enhance student understanding and retention of important concepts.

2016 revision

Submitted by iwaldron on Wed, 08/03/2016 - 1:53pm.

This activity has been entirely revised to help students develop a sophisticated understanding of the basics processes of photosynthesis and cellular respiration. New sections develop student understanding that the (1) products of photosynthesis are used not only for cellular respiration, but also to synthesize plant molecules and (2) photosynthesis can increase plant biomass and cellular respiration can decrease plant biomass, so changes in a plant’s biomass depends on the balance between photosynthesis and cellular respiration. An answer key is now available for this activity.

photo and cell resp

Submitted by Serendip Visitor (guest) on Thu, 04/09/2015 - 8:42pm.

Answer key?

Answer key

Submitted by iwaldron on Sat, 04/11/2015 - 6:19am.

We do not have a key for this activity, but I believe that the information in "Cellular Respiration and Photosynthesis – Important Concepts, Common Misconceptions and Learning Activities (/exchange/bioactivities/cellrespiration) should make it relatively easy to prepare a key. In addition, you may want to consult a good introductory textbook, since the information needed is generally covered in introductory biology textbooks. If you have any additional specific questions, please let me know and I will be happy to answer your questions.