Algae: Tiny Plants with Big Energy Potential
Algal bloom in a village river in China.Copyright 2005 Felix Andrews (Floybix), Wikimedia Commons https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:River_algae_Sichuan.jpg
Students are introduced to biofuels, biological engineers, algae and how they grow (photosynthesis), and what parts of algae can be used for biofuel (biomass from oils, starches, cell wall sugars). Through this lesson, plants—and specifically algae—are presented as an energy solution. Students learn that breaking apart algal cell walls enables access to oil, starch, and cell wall sugars for biofuel production. Students compare/contrast biofuels and fossil fuels. They learn about the field of biological engineering, including what biological engineers do. A 20-slide PowerPoint® presentation is provided that supports students taking notes in the Cornell format. Short pre- and post-quizzes are provided. This lesson prepares students to conduct the associated activity in which they make and then eat edible algal cell models.
Biological engineers apply their skills in and knowledge of math, biology, chemistry, mechanics and physics, and electronics to improve methods of agriculture, human and animal health, and energy production. Some biological engineers aim to reduce the use of fossil fuels by creating low-impact fuels from plants such as algae.
After this lesson, students should be able to:
- Discuss similarities and differences between biofuels and fossil fuels.
- Explain that algae are plants that engineers can use to make biofuels, and that breaking apart algal cell walls enables access to oil, starch, and cell wall sugars for biofuel production.