Cellular Respiration and Bioremediation
The diagram of a cell.Copyright Surveillance, Epidemilogy and End Results (SEER) Program, National Cancer Institute https://training.seer.cancer.gov/anatomy/cells_tissues_membranes/cells/structure.html
Students learn about the basics of cellular respiration. Using the hands on associated activity they also learn about the application of cellular respiration to engineering and bioremediation. And, they are introduced to the process of bioremediation and examples of how bioremediation is used during the cleanup of environmental contaminants.
In bioremediation, bacteria digest toxic compounds and break them down into harmless byproducts in a process that is analogous to the way humans eat, breathe and produce waste. Engineers can monitor whether bioremediation is occurring by measuring a decrease in what the bacteria are "inhaling" and an increase in what they are "exhaling." Measuring these results of cell functions is a generally easier process than trying to keep track of the actual amount of toxic material that exists. In bioremediation, engineers promote the growth of cells that break down toxic compounds into harmless byproducts. By understanding how the cells "breathe," engineers can monitor cell growth by measuring the changes in concentration of chemicals that bacteria "inhale" and "exhale."
After this lesson, students should be able to:
- Explain the purpose of cellular respiration.
- Describe bioremediation.
- Give examples of when engineers use bioremediation to clean up the environment.