Developed by: John Merrill
Modifications: 

This activity uses an approach that is repeated with the module on respiration. 

Learning Objective:

"Students will be able to trace the major transfers and transformations of matter and energy that take place during the major processes and subprocesses of cellular respiration, fermentation, and photosynthesis"

Connection to Vision and Change*

Core Concepts
4. PATHWAYS AND TRANSFORMATIONS OF ENERGY AND MATTER:
Biological systems grow and change by processes based upon chemical transformation pathways and are governed by the laws of thermodynamics.
5. SYSTEMS:
Living systems are interconnected and interacting.

Core Competencie
3. ABILITY TO USE MODELING AND SIMULATION:
Biology focuses on the study of complex systems. 

Textbook: Campbell 9e; Chapter 10 Photosynthesis

*Vision and Change: A Call to Action. Washington, DC: AAAS; 2010.  www.visionandchange.org/VC_report.pdf.

Description

This exercise would typically occur at the conclusion of lectures/discussions of key points on photosynthesis. Students receive a handout (see pdf below) and in step one are asked to label inputs and outputs of a box and arrow diagram, with the boxes intended to represent the light reactions and the Calvin cycle. Students are encouraged to work in groups to complete the activity. In step two, students add arrows to indicate ADP and NADP+ (low energy states of energy management molecules).

In step three, students are tasked with redrawing the entire diagram, but with photosystems I and II each in its own box. The intention is to have them grapple with how to accomodate the electron transport chain and accompanying ATP production. Ideally, they realize the need for perhaps another box, although other ways of accounting are likely. Step three diagrams are intended to be turned in for instructor reference, not grading, with a followup clicker question to have accountability and assessment.

Associated Questions

Maple tree mass gain

Root cell