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Chapter 8 applies the information covered in Chapters 3 through 7 in its coverage of photosynthesis.
It is important for students to be familiar with at least the first part of Chapter 7 (the principles of
thermodynamics and metabolism) in order for them to understand photosynthesis. It is also
important that students have a grasp of cellular organization (Chapter 4) and compartmentation
(Chapter 5) before proceeding with Chapter 8. The information in Chapter 8 is crucial for students to
understand the principles of evolution and ecosystems covered later in the book.
SYNOPSIS
Eukaryotic chloroplasts are composed of stacks of thylakoid disks called grana located within the
stroma, a fluid matrix. The photosynthetic pigments are bound to the thylakoid membrane, which
pumps protons from the stroma to the interior. ATP molecules are generated as the protons
diffuse back out to the stroma. The enzymes of the Calvin cycle are in the stroma.
Photosynthesis is composed of two very different processes: the light reactions and the Calvin
cycle. The light reactions occur in eukaryotic chloroplasts and on specific photosynthetic
membranes of bacteria. The pigments capture a photon of light, which excites one of its
electrons. The excited electron shuttles through various carrier molecules to a final acceptor and
chemiosmotically generates ATP and NADPH. The Calvin cycle fixes carbon by using the
products of the light reactions to chemically reduce carbon dioxide into organic molecules.
Early research in plant physiology showed that plants did not derive major nutrients from the soil
to support their growth, but that the sun’s energy and carbon dioxide were required. Light energy
exists in the form of packets called photons. Photons of short wavelength light are more
energetic than photons of long wavelength light. The energy in these photons is captured by
carotenoid or chlorophyll pigments. The former absorb photons with a broad range of energy and
are not highly efficient, while the latter absorb a narrow range of photons very efficiently. Most
photosynthetic organisms use chlorophylls as their light gathering pigment.
Plants that exhibit C3 photosynthesis lose much of their fixed carbon when RuBP carboxylase
interferes with the Calvin cycle, a process called photorespiration. C4 plants expend ATP to
concentrate carbon dioxide in the cells that carry out the Calvin cycle. This high concentration of
carbon dioxide prevents RuBP carboxylase from binding oxygen and thus reduces
photorespiration. The loss of ATP greatly outweighs the potential loss of fixed carbon. Many
succulent plants reduce photorespiration by closing their stomata and thus decrease the amount
of carbon dioxide present during the day. These plants are called CAM plants; they use both C3
and C4 pathways within the same cells. C4 plants use both pathways, but do each in a different
cell.
There is ample evidence in the educational literature that student misconceptions of information
will inhibit the learning of concepts related to the misinformation. The following concepts
covered in Chapter 8 are commonly the subject of student misconceptions. This information on
“bioliteracy” was collected from faculty and the science education literature.
Many texts simply present photosynthesis straight through. Here it is presented from an
evolutionary as well as biochemical viewpoint. PS I with P700 was “invented” first and makes
enough ATP for growth and reproduction, but doesn’t produce NADPH or fix carbon. PS II with
P680 was “invented” next and added to the front of PS I. In cyanobacteria, algae, and plants, PS
II occurs first and is followed by PS I. (This evolution is different from cellular respiration where
the new process was added to the end of the original one.) PS II produces ATP while PS I now
generates NADPH, reducing power used to fix carbon in the Calvin cycle. You may want to ask
why it wouldn’t be simpler to just add PS II to the end of PS I so that PS I could still make ATP
with PS II generating NADPH. (ANSWER: The electron from P700 isn’t energetic enough to
split water; the one from P680 has more energy. Remember that photon energy is inversely
proportional to the wavelength.)
Stress why water is split, why oxygen is produced, and that two photons of different energy are
needed for PS I/PS II photosynthesis. It is important that the students also remember that the
Calvin cycle (aka the dark reaction) does not ONLY occur in the dark. It also occurs in the light,
but does not require light to occur as do the light reactions. Stress that the oxygen produced by
photosynthesis altered global climate, transforming it from a reducing atmosphere to an
environment that enabled the evolution of aerobic organisms.
Many students may confuse photorespiration with cellular respiration, but they are two entirely
different processes. Although they both produce CO2, photorespiration is a damaging reaction
because it does not produce ATP.
Higher level assessment measures a student’s ability to use terms and concepts learned from the
lecture and the textbook. A complete understanding of biology content provides students with
the tools to synthesize new hypotheses and knowledge using the facts they have learned. The
following table provides examples of assessing a student’s ability to apply, analyze, synthesize,
and evaluate information from Chapter 8.
Analysis • Ask students to explain the value of using tree planting programs as a
means of curbing global climate change. Ask students to come up with a
way that plants can be used to reduce urban flooding.
•
Synthesis • Ask students to come up with a way that plants can be used as means of
producing electricity for running households.
• Have students develop a rationale for encouraging the growing of corn in
warmer climates and cotton in cooler regions of North America.
• Ask students to describe the conditions needed to keep alive a plant that
completely lacks chloroplasts.
Evaluation • Ask students to evaluate the benefits and limitations of using aquatic
plants to remove pollutants from water.
• Ask students to evaluate the practice of removing plants from hospital
rooms.
• Have the students evaluate a city regulation requiring all large buildings
to have plants in office buildings as a way of improving the air quality.
Chloroplasts reradiate light with a longer wavelength than the light that they are initially
illuminated by. A beaker of chloroplasts illuminated with normal light will reradiate at invisible
infrared wavelengths. One that is illuminated with higher energy ultraviolet light will reradiate in
the visible red range.
Introduction
Many students believe that photosynthetic pigments in leaves are solely for the purpose
of photosynthesis. This demonstration guides students to investigate the roles of other pigments
involved in plant survival. The demonstration should be prepared before class. Chromatograms
can be stored for several months, chilled in a dark container.
Materials
1. Grind up the spinach, red cabbage, and green tea leaves separately in acetone.
2. Collect the solution when it is rich in colour.
3. Set up three chromatography setups using the mobile phase formulation.
4. Transfer the solutions to separate chromatography setups using the capillary pipettes and
three large jars.
5. Run the setups to get the maximum separation of pigments.
6. Dry the chromatogram and store in a cool, dark place.
7. Project the spinach chromatograms to the class and have students identify the
photosynthetic pigments.
LABORATORY IDEAS
A. Fueling Photosynthesis
Have students perform a simple experiment in which they use photosynthesis to
hypothesize the chemical composition of an unknown substance added to plant cells.
a. Tell the class that they will be using their knowledge of photosynthesis to identify the
probable nature of an unknown chemical.
b. They will be adding the chemical to an aquatic plant and using the plant’s reaction to the
chemical as an indicator of the chemical’s identity.
c. Provide students with the following materials:
a. Microscope
b. Microscope slides and cover slips
c. Fresh Elodea exposed to bright light for at least 8 hours
d. Sodium bicarbonate in bottles labeled “Unknown”
e. Small scoop for transferring sodium bicarbonate
d. Have students carry out the following procedure:
a. Tell students to make a wet mount of Elodea leaf
b. Have them observe the edges of Elodea leaves
c. Ask them to look for bubble formation
d. Ask them to explain the nature of the bubbles (oxygen)
e. Then ask the students to add the unknown powder
f. Have them watch the Elodea cells to see any changes
g. They should observe an increase in bubble production
h. Have the class explain why oxygen production increased
i. They should then hypothesize that they added carbon dioxide
j. Then have the students investigate chemicals that produce carbon dioxide when
dissolved in water
Service learning is a strategy of teaching, learning and reflective assessment that merges the
academic curriculum with meaningful community service. As a teaching methodology, it falls
under the category of experiential education. It is a way for students to carry out volunteer
projects in the community for public agencies, nonprofit agencies, civic groups, charitable
organizations, and governmental organizations. It encourages critical thinking and reinforces
many of the concepts learned in a course.
Students who have successfully mastered the content of Chapter 8 can apply their knowledge to
service learning activities in the following ways:
1. Have students do a presentation about the environmental benefits of keeping their
neighborhoods “green.”
2. Have students make posters on various aspects of photosynthesis and environmental
concerns for display in areas such as student centers, in order to educate non-science
students.
3. Have students design and prepare an electronic presentation for school teachers about the
pathways of photosynthesis.
4. Have students tutor middle school or high school biology students studying
photosynthesis.
5. Have students do a photosynthesis presentation at a local Earth Day or nature festival.
chloro- green (from the Greek chloros- light green or greenish yellow)
-phyll of, or pertaining to, a leaf (from the Greek phyllos- leaf)
-troph nutrient; nutritional requirement (from the Greek trophe- nourishment or food)