Cycles in Nature

A Lesson Plan on Photosynthesis, Cellular Respiration, and Fermentation

Stage 1 – Desired Results
Content Standard(s):
S7L2. Students will describe the structure and function of cells, tissues, organs, and
organ systems.

a. Explain that cells take in nutrients in order to grow and divide and to make needed materials.
b. Relate cell structures (cell membrane, nucleus, cytoplasm, chloroplasts, mitochondria) to basic cell
functions.

S7L4. Students will examine the dependence of organisms on one another and their
environments.

a. Demonstrate in a food web that matter is transferred from one organism to another and can recycle
between organisms and their environments.
b. Explain in a food web that sunlight is the source of energy and that this energy moves from
organism to organism.

Understanding (s)/goals
Students will understand that:
•

Every organism on Earth relies

on cellular processes to get
needed materials and energy.
•

Cells have specific organelles

that underlie their functions.
•

Cellular processes like

photosynthesis, cellular
respiration, and fermentation,
are integral processes in the
transfer of energy and matter
along the food chain.
•

Every organism on Earth is an

important part of the food
chain/web.
•

The sun is the ultimate source

of energy on Earth.
Essential Question(s):
•
What if the sun was no longer able to
shine?
•
What would happen if all of the plants
on Earth became extinct?
•
What is the relationship between plants
and animals in the same ecosystem?
•
What is meant by the phrase “cycles in
nature”?
•
How do cycles in nature relate to me?
•

What might happen if energy and

matter stopped flowing in the
environment?

How do cell structures relate to the

flow of matter and energy in the
environment?

How are the processes of

photosynthesis and cellular respiration
related?

•
How does the process of
photosynthesis affect me?
•
What would happen to me if my cells
quit producing ATP?
•
How does photosynthesis compare with
cellular respiration?
Student objectives (outcomes):
Students will be able to:
•
Describe photosynthesis.
•
List the reactants and products of photosynthesis.
•
Explain where photosynthesis takes place within the cell.
•
Explain why pigments are important in the process of photosynthesis.
•
Separate pigments in leaves.
•
Compare cellular respiration with photosynthesis.
•
Describe the products and reactants of both processes.
•
State where each process takes place within the cell.
•
Compare cellular respiration with fermentation.
•
Describe the products and reactants of each process.
•
State where each process takes place within the cell.
•
Describe the flow of matter and energy in a food chain/web.
•
Explain why photosynthesis, cellular respiration, and fermentation are integral to the flow of matter and
energy within a food chain/web.
Stage 2 – Assessment Evidence
Performance Task(s):
•
Elodea Experiment – students will

prepare an experiment that demonstrates

how plants take in carbon dioxide and
release oxygen during the process of
photosynthesis. Students will be able to
relate the results of the experiment to
photosynthesis. This lab was found at:

http://www.biologycorner.com/worksheets
/photosynthesis_BTB.html .
•
Paper Chromatography Lab – students

will be able to separate the pigments

found in leaves to observe the various
pigments that are involved in
photosynthesis. Students will relate what
they observe to the process of
photosynthesis. This lab was found at:

http://www.nclark.net/PhotoRespiration
•
Fermentation Lab – students will

conduct an experiment with yeast cells

that demonstrates how cells can convert
glucose into ATP and carbon dioxide
without the use of oxygen. Students will
relate the results of the experiment to the
process of fermentation. This lab was
found at:

http://www.nclark.net/PhotoRespiration
Other Evidence:
•
Cellular Energy Quiz – students will complete a

multiple choice quiz over the processes of

photosynthesis, cellular respiration, and
fermentation.

•
Photosynthesis – Card Game – individual
students will be provided with photosynthesis

equation cards. Each card will have one symbol

from the photosynthesis equation. Students will
have to put the cards in order to demonstrate that
they know the products and reactants of
photosynthesis.

•
Cellular Respiration – Card Game – individual
students will be provided with cellular respiration

equation cards. Each card will have one symbol

from the cellular respiration equation. Students
will have to put the cards in order to demonstrate
that they know the products and reactants of
cellular respiration.

•
Diagram the Relationship between Cellular
Respiration and Photosynthesis – students will
diagram the cellular relationship between
photosynthesis and cellular respiration
•
Class discussion - the class will participate in
frequent discussions of the processes that cells
use to get the energy that they need.
•
Final Exam – students will complete the Cellular
Energy Final Exam
Stage 3 – Learning Plan
Learning Activities:
•
Brain Pop Video on Photosynthesis – this is a 3 minute video that provides students with a detailed
over view of the process of photosynthesis. It explains the products and reactants of photosynthesis. It
also describes why the process of photosynthesis is important in the food chain/web.
•
Photosynthesis Podcast with guided note page - the teacher will provide students with a

discussion of the process of photosynthesis. Discussion will include the importance of producers because they are the base of
the food chain. Discussion will also include a detailed description of photosynthesis and where it takes place within the cell.

•
Brain Pop Video on Cellular Respiration – this is a 3 minute video that provides students with a
detailed description of cellular respiration. It explains the products and reactants of cellular respiration.
•
Cellular Respiration Podcast with guided note page - the teacher will provide students with a

discussion of the process of cellular respiration. Discussion will include the importance of cellular
respiration in the transfer of energy along the food chain. Discussion will also include a detailed
description of cellular respiration and where it takes place within the cell. A detailed comparison of
photosynthesis and cellular respiration will also be provided.

•
Fermentation Podcast with guided note page - the teacher will provide students with a discussion
of the process of fermentation. Discussion will include the importance of fermentation in the transfer of
energy along the food chain. Discussion will also include a detailed description of fermentation and
where it takes place within the cell. A detailed comparison of photosynthesis, cellular respiration, and
fermentation will also be provided.

•
Guided reading Chapter 2.2 – All Cells Need Energy – students will use their textbooks to fill in a
guided reading page that summarizes the processes of fermentation, cellular respiration, and
photosynthesis.
•
T-Chart comparison of photosynthesis, respiration, and fermentation. – students will complete a
T-chart comparison of the three processes.
•
Biology: The Science of Life: The Flow of Matter and Energy in the Living World:
Photosynthesis and Cellular Respiration – U.S Video: 15 minutes – students will watch the
preceding video and complete a video guide that summarizes the processes cells use to obtain
energy. Video can be found at: http://streaming.discoveryeducation.com/
•
Photosynthesis – Card Game – students in pairs of two will be provided with photosynthesis
equation cards. Each card will have one symbol from the photosynthesis equation. Students will have
to put the cards in order to demonstrate that they know the products and reactants of photosynthesis.
•
Cellular Respiration – Card Game – students in pairs of two will be provided with cellular

respiration equation cards. Each card will have one symbol from the cellular respiration equation.
Students will have to put the cards in order to demonstrate that they know the products and reactants
of cellular respiration.

•
Energy in Cells – students will complete a handout in which they will answer questions about the
processes of photosynthesis, cellular respiration, and fermentation. This worksheet can be found at:
http://colgurchemistry.com/Sc10/Sc10BIOLOGY/PDFS/Microsoft%20Word%20-
%20Act7WorksheetPhotosynCellResp_doc.pdf
Lesson Sequence:

Day 1:
1. Brain Pop: Photosynthesis
2. Photosynthesis Podcast
3. Chromatography Lab

Day 2:
1.Photosynthesis Card Game -
groups
2.Set Up Elodea Lab

Day 3:
1. Brain Pop: Cellular Respiration
2. Cellular Respiration Podcast
3. Diagram Relationship between

photosynthesis and cellular

respiration
Day 4:
1. Cellular Respiration Card
 Game - groups
2. Fermentation Podcast
3. T-Chart Comparison of

photosynthesis, cellular
respiration, and
Day5:
1. Finish Elodea Lab
2.Set Up Fermentation Lab
3. Guided Reading Chapter 2.2
4. Photosynthesis Card Game:
Individual

Day 6:
1. Cellular Energy Quiz
2. Finish Fermentation Lab
3. Biology the Science of Life: The

Flow of Matter and Energy in the

Living World – Video
4. Cellular Respiration Card Game: