http://www.teachengineering.org/view_lesson.php?url=collection/cub_/lessons/cub_lifescience/cub_lifescience_lesson01.xmllessontext/xmlPhotosynthesis – Life’s Primary Energy SourceIntegrated Teaching and Learning Program, photosynthesistranspirationcellular respirationcarbon dioxideenergy efficiencybiomimicrycellsPhotosynthesisTranspirationATP (Adenosine Triphosphate)Cellular RespirationByproductThis lesson covers the process of photosynthesis and the related plant cell functions of transpiration and cellular respiration. Students will learn how engineers can use the natural process of photosynthesis as an exemplary model of a complex — yet efficient — process for converting solar energy to chemical energy or distributing water throughout a system.
Engineers are faced with the challenge of designing energy efficient systems for heating buildings, for example, or creating fuel-efficient vehicles. The photosynthetic process serves as an excellent model for highly-efficient engineering design. The plant converts readily available resources (water, sunlight and carbon dioxide) into plant fuel (glucose). The only byproduct of the process is oxygen, which is an environmentally friendly product that is consumable by other organisms. Engineers who are working to optimize fuel efficiency and minimize hazardous emissions can look to the effective process of photosynthesis as an example.
Describe how the relationship between photosynthesis and respiration sustain life on this planet.Explain the relationship between plants and animals in the oxygen-carbon dioxide cycle.Identify ways in which engineers could utilize knowledge of photosynthesis.20TeachEngineering.orgChristopher ValentiJanet YowellKaren Kinghttp://graysreef.noaa.gov/grhb/ecology.htmlhttp://www.eia.doe.gov/kids/energyfacts/sources/renewable/images/photosynthesis1.gifS11417EAInternational_Technology_Education_Association-ITEA_STL_StandardsTechnologyH. Biotechnology applies the principles of biology to create commercial products or
processes.
68S11417D9International_Technology_Education_Association-ITEA_STL_StandardsTechnologyF. Energy can be used to do work, using many processes.
68S1142547ColoradoSciencea. Gather, analyze, and interpret data
regarding the basic functions of
photosynthesis and cellular respiration
77S1142554ColoradoSciencec. Compare and contrast the flow of
energy with the cycling of matter in
ecosystems66United StatesCopyright 2012 - Integrated Teaching and Learning Program, College of Engineering, University of Colorado at Boulderhttp://www.teachengineering.org/policy_ipp.phphttp://www.teachengineering.org/2010-07-307Teacher