Download photosynthesis

Photosynthesis
Internet Activity
Name: Lauren O’Neill 3rd block
Date: 4/7/10
Illuminating Photosynthesis
 Click on the following link:
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/methuselah/photosynthesis.html#
 Read the introduction entitled “Illuminating Photosynthesis” by Rick Groleau
 Click on the link that reads: “Go to Illuminating Photosynthesis.”
 Read the introductory poem.
 Click on “The Cycle” at the top of the box
1. Click on each of the following items, and explain what happens:
a. The shade over the window: The shade lets in the carbon dioxide so the plant can
breathe in the elements.
b. The container of water: The water adds water to the plant so it can continue to grow
and produce oxygen.
c. The child: The child is breathing in the oxygen and releasing carbon dioxide to go back
to the plant.
2. a. What gas does the child provide for the plant to use?
b. What gas does the plant provide for the child to use?
Carbon dioxide
oxygen
c. Will the plant continue to produce this gas if the shade over the window is closed? (try it
out to see!)
no, the cycle stops
3. According to this animation, what 3 main things does the plant need for photosynthesis to
occur?
(1)
H2O
(2)
Oxygen
(3)
Carbon Dioxide
Adapted from Ranic 2005
 Click on “The Atomic Shuffle” at the top of the box.
 Read the introductory poem, and click on “next”
4. What type of molecule is shown in the leaf? _____Water______________
5. According to the reading, these molecules “do not come from the tap.” What two places do
they come from?
(1) within leaf cells
(2) some is sucked up from the ground
 Click on “next” and watch carefully. You may click on “replay” to watch this again.
6. a. What is “stripped” from each water molecule?
The oxygen
b. From where does the cell get the energy to do this?
sunlight
c. The stripped molecules form pairs. Where does it go after this?
They leave the leaf
 Click on “next”
7. a. What gas enters the leaf? Carbon dioxide
b. This gas enters through “holes” in the leaf. What are they called? The stomata
 Click on “next”
8. What molecule is formed once again? H2O
 Click on “next”
9. What is the name of this molecule of the molecule that is formed at the end (“and boy it is
sweet”)? Glucose
 Click on “Three Puzzlers” at the top of the box.
Adapted from Ranic 2005
10. Answer each of the following questions, and explain in your own words.
a. Can a tree produce enough oxygen to keep a person alive? Explain.
No, I don’t think it can. It would need to have a lot of oxygen to keep one person alive for a
span of at least 50 years.
b. Can a plant stay alive without light?
No, a plant cannot stay alive without light because light gives plants carbon dioxide.
Without carbon dioxide, plants cannot live.
c. Can a plant survive without oxygen? Explain.
No a plant cannot live without oxygen because the plant gives off oxygen. If it doesn’t
give off oxygen, it isn’t completing the cycle, resulting in no life.
Adapted from Ranic 2005