Understanding Photosynthesis and Cellular Respiration by Analyzing Experimental Results

$4.75

Unleash Engaging Science Explorations with Our Google Slides Lessons!

Remote Learning Revolutionized: Elevate your virtual classroom experience with our meticulously designed lessons, crafted for seamless engagement and visual appeal. Dive into the world of photosynthesis and cellular respiration through hands-on modeling and captivating experiments.

Photosynthesis Unveiled:

  1. Visual Demonstration: Kickstart your journey with an illuminating video showcasing how bromothymol blue (BTB) transforms from blue to yellow in the presence of carbon dioxide. Witness the magic that sets the stage for your experiment.

  2. Intriguing Experiment: Explore the effects of light and dark environments on test tubes containing tap water, soda water, and elodea. Discover the pivotal moment when elodea in soda water, under the light, reveals the essence of photosynthesis. Emphasize this critical discovery with a guiding arrow for students.

  3. Claim, Evidence, Reasoning (C-E-R): Synthesize your findings to craft a powerful C-E-R statement, solidifying the understanding that photosynthesis hinges on both light and CO2.

  4. Historical Insights: Step back in time to the 1800s and revisit groundbreaking experiments that unveiled the role of chloroplasts in photosynthesis. Cement this knowledge by placing an arrow directly on the chloroplast in a plant cell diagram.

  5. Molecular Mastery: Visualize the photosynthesis equation through vivid representations of molecules, providing a concrete grasp of this foundational biological process.

Cellular Respiration Explored:

  1. Hypothesize and Predict: Recall the BTB transformation and make educated hypotheses about four experimental setups. Anticipate the outcomes for water + BTB, water + BTB + snail, water + BTB + elodea, and water + BTB + snail + elodea setups.

  2. Analytical Insights: Examine the actual results and articulate the scientific reasoning behind each, leading to a comprehensive C-E-R statement about cellular respiration.

  3. Mitochondrial Revelations: Journey with Dr. Krebs and uncover the experiments that illuminated the role of mitochondria in cellular respiration. Solidify this knowledge by guiding an arrow to the mitochondria in plant and animal cell diagrams.

  4. Equation Exploration: Bring cellular respiration to life through visual representations of molecules, providing a clear comprehension of this vital biological process.

  5. ↔️ Comparative Analysis: Unravel the symmetry between the photosynthesis and cellular respiration equations, unlocking the understanding that they operate in tandem as opposites.

Empower Your Teaching: As an educator, you hold the key to illuminating these critical biological processes. Watch as your students dive into the wonders of photosynthesis and cellular respiration with newfound excitement and clarity.

Begin Your Science Odyssey: Thank you for choosing us as your partners in scientific exploration. Happy teaching, and may your classrooms be filled with curiosity, discovery, and growth!

Grade Recommendation

  • Middle School: Grades 7–8 Life Science (fits NGSS middle school performance expectations for photosynthesis, respiration, and energy transfer).

  • High School: Grades 9–10 Biology, particularly during cellular energy or photosynthesis–respiration comparison units.

This lab-based digital lesson is excellent for both levels. Middle schoolers can focus on qualitative reasoning (color change → gas exchange), while high schoolers can engage in molecular-level analysis (carbon flow, ATP production, organelle functions).

Cross-Curricular Connections and/or Extensions

  • ELA: Students write CER (Claim–Evidence–Reasoning) conclusions and respond to guided analysis questions, strengthening science literacy.

  • Mathematics: Graphing or charting the experimental results (optional extension) to represent relationships between CO₂ presence and color change.

  • Technology: Integrates YouTube videos and interactive slides, encouraging digital literacy and critical analysis of simulations.

  • Extension Ideas:

    • Students could replicate the lab in small groups using bromothymol blue to visualize CO₂ consumption and production.

    • Incorporate a comparison chart between photosynthesis and respiration at the molecular equation level.

    • Add a short student reflection connecting the experimental design to real-world carbon cycling or climate change.

Daily slide + literacy - based exit ticket included with purchase

Join the Lesson Laboratory and Teach for Tomorrow!

NGSS Standards

Middle School NGSS:

  • MS-LS1-6: Construct a scientific explanation based on evidence for the role of photosynthesis in the cycling of matter and flow of energy into and out of organisms.

  • MS-LS1-7: Develop a model to describe how food is rearranged through chemical reactions forming new molecules that support growth and/or release energy as this matter moves through an organism.

  • MS-LS2-3: Develop a model to describe the cycling of matter and flow of energy among living and nonliving parts of an ecosystem.

High School NGSS:

  • HS-LS1-5: Use a model to illustrate how photosynthesis transforms light energy into stored chemical energy.

  • HS-LS1-7: Use a model to illustrate that cellular respiration is a chemical process whereby bonds of food molecules and oxygen are broken and new compounds are formed, resulting in a net transfer of energy.

  • HS-LS2-3: Construct and revise an explanation for the cycling of matter and flow of energy in aerobic and anaerobic conditions.

Science and Engineering Practices (SEPs):

  • Analyzing and interpreting data

  • Constructing explanations and designing solutions

  • Developing and using models

  • Engaging in argument from evidence

Crosscutting Concepts (CCCs):

  • Energy and Matter: Tracking energy flow through photosynthesis and respiration.

  • Cause and Effect: Observing how the presence or absence of light and CO₂ impacts color change.

  • Systems and System Models: Modeling interactions between producers, consumers, and gases.

  • Stability and Change: Understanding dynamic balance between photosynthesis and respiration.

Common Core Standards

  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RST.6-8.1 / RST.9-10.1: Cite specific textual evidence to support analysis of scientific data.

  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.WHST.6-8.1 / WHST.9-10.1: Write arguments focused on discipline-specific content (CER analysis).

  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RST.6-8.7 / RST.9-10.7: Integrate quantitative or technical information (color indicators, reaction data) expressed in visuals.

  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.8.5 / SL.9-10.5: Present claims with multimedia support (digital slides, lab visuals).

Unleash Engaging Science Explorations with Our Google Slides Lessons!

Remote Learning Revolutionized: Elevate your virtual classroom experience with our meticulously designed lessons, crafted for seamless engagement and visual appeal. Dive into the world of photosynthesis and cellular respiration through hands-on modeling and captivating experiments.

Photosynthesis Unveiled:

  1. Visual Demonstration: Kickstart your journey with an illuminating video showcasing how bromothymol blue (BTB) transforms from blue to yellow in the presence of carbon dioxide. Witness the magic that sets the stage for your experiment.

  2. Intriguing Experiment: Explore the effects of light and dark environments on test tubes containing tap water, soda water, and elodea. Discover the pivotal moment when elodea in soda water, under the light, reveals the essence of photosynthesis. Emphasize this critical discovery with a guiding arrow for students.

  3. Claim, Evidence, Reasoning (C-E-R): Synthesize your findings to craft a powerful C-E-R statement, solidifying the understanding that photosynthesis hinges on both light and CO2.

  4. Historical Insights: Step back in time to the 1800s and revisit groundbreaking experiments that unveiled the role of chloroplasts in photosynthesis. Cement this knowledge by placing an arrow directly on the chloroplast in a plant cell diagram.

  5. Molecular Mastery: Visualize the photosynthesis equation through vivid representations of molecules, providing a concrete grasp of this foundational biological process.

Cellular Respiration Explored:

  1. Hypothesize and Predict: Recall the BTB transformation and make educated hypotheses about four experimental setups. Anticipate the outcomes for water + BTB, water + BTB + snail, water + BTB + elodea, and water + BTB + snail + elodea setups.

  2. Analytical Insights: Examine the actual results and articulate the scientific reasoning behind each, leading to a comprehensive C-E-R statement about cellular respiration.

  3. Mitochondrial Revelations: Journey with Dr. Krebs and uncover the experiments that illuminated the role of mitochondria in cellular respiration. Solidify this knowledge by guiding an arrow to the mitochondria in plant and animal cell diagrams.

  4. Equation Exploration: Bring cellular respiration to life through visual representations of molecules, providing a clear comprehension of this vital biological process.

  5. ↔️ Comparative Analysis: Unravel the symmetry between the photosynthesis and cellular respiration equations, unlocking the understanding that they operate in tandem as opposites.

Empower Your Teaching: As an educator, you hold the key to illuminating these critical biological processes. Watch as your students dive into the wonders of photosynthesis and cellular respiration with newfound excitement and clarity.

Begin Your Science Odyssey: Thank you for choosing us as your partners in scientific exploration. Happy teaching, and may your classrooms be filled with curiosity, discovery, and growth!

Grade Recommendation

  • Middle School: Grades 7–8 Life Science (fits NGSS middle school performance expectations for photosynthesis, respiration, and energy transfer).

  • High School: Grades 9–10 Biology, particularly during cellular energy or photosynthesis–respiration comparison units.

This lab-based digital lesson is excellent for both levels. Middle schoolers can focus on qualitative reasoning (color change → gas exchange), while high schoolers can engage in molecular-level analysis (carbon flow, ATP production, organelle functions).

Cross-Curricular Connections and/or Extensions

  • ELA: Students write CER (Claim–Evidence–Reasoning) conclusions and respond to guided analysis questions, strengthening science literacy.

  • Mathematics: Graphing or charting the experimental results (optional extension) to represent relationships between CO₂ presence and color change.

  • Technology: Integrates YouTube videos and interactive slides, encouraging digital literacy and critical analysis of simulations.

  • Extension Ideas:

    • Students could replicate the lab in small groups using bromothymol blue to visualize CO₂ consumption and production.

    • Incorporate a comparison chart between photosynthesis and respiration at the molecular equation level.

    • Add a short student reflection connecting the experimental design to real-world carbon cycling or climate change.

Daily slide + literacy - based exit ticket included with purchase

Join the Lesson Laboratory and Teach for Tomorrow!

NGSS Standards

Middle School NGSS:

  • MS-LS1-6: Construct a scientific explanation based on evidence for the role of photosynthesis in the cycling of matter and flow of energy into and out of organisms.

  • MS-LS1-7: Develop a model to describe how food is rearranged through chemical reactions forming new molecules that support growth and/or release energy as this matter moves through an organism.

  • MS-LS2-3: Develop a model to describe the cycling of matter and flow of energy among living and nonliving parts of an ecosystem.

High School NGSS:

  • HS-LS1-5: Use a model to illustrate how photosynthesis transforms light energy into stored chemical energy.

  • HS-LS1-7: Use a model to illustrate that cellular respiration is a chemical process whereby bonds of food molecules and oxygen are broken and new compounds are formed, resulting in a net transfer of energy.

  • HS-LS2-3: Construct and revise an explanation for the cycling of matter and flow of energy in aerobic and anaerobic conditions.

Science and Engineering Practices (SEPs):

  • Analyzing and interpreting data

  • Constructing explanations and designing solutions

  • Developing and using models

  • Engaging in argument from evidence

Crosscutting Concepts (CCCs):

  • Energy and Matter: Tracking energy flow through photosynthesis and respiration.

  • Cause and Effect: Observing how the presence or absence of light and CO₂ impacts color change.

  • Systems and System Models: Modeling interactions between producers, consumers, and gases.

  • Stability and Change: Understanding dynamic balance between photosynthesis and respiration.

Common Core Standards

  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RST.6-8.1 / RST.9-10.1: Cite specific textual evidence to support analysis of scientific data.

  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.WHST.6-8.1 / WHST.9-10.1: Write arguments focused on discipline-specific content (CER analysis).

  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RST.6-8.7 / RST.9-10.7: Integrate quantitative or technical information (color indicators, reaction data) expressed in visuals.

  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.8.5 / SL.9-10.5: Present claims with multimedia support (digital slides, lab visuals).