Energized Inquiry: Exploring Life's Power Sources - Updated Honors

Last updated 9 months ago
24 questions
Note from the author:
Cellular Respiration

Welcome to the "Energized Inquiry" Lab!

Explore how organisms obtain and use energy to sustain life. Follow the instructions at each station carefully, and be prepared to share your findings during discussions and reflections.

Rotate stations promptly when time is called. Ask your teacher if you need clarification or help at any station. Have fun exploring life's power sources!

Learning Objectives

  1. Compare and contrast photosynthesis, cellular respiration, and chemosynthesis.
  2. Investigate carbon dioxide's role in cellular respiration through hands-on experimentation.
  3. Critically evaluate scientific claims related to biological processes.
Station 1: Independent Inquiry-Based Writing
2

Why did Mia experience a burning sensation in her muscles?

2

How does lactic acid fermentation help when oxygen levels are low?

2

What are some ways athletic trainers and sports medicine professionals help athletes recover from lactic acid buildup?

Learn about athletic trainers here: https://www.nata.org/about/athletic-training

Learn about sports medicine professionals here:
https://healthtalk.unchealthcare.org/what-does-a-sports-medicine-doctor-do/#:~:text=Acute%20injuries%20happen%20suddenly%E2%80%94often,Porras%20says.

2

If Mia had paced herself differently, how might her muscle cells have used a different pathway for energy?

1

Sketch a simple diagram comparing aerobic respiration and lactic acid fermentation in muscle cells.

4

Career Connection: Mini-Task (5 minutes)
Students choose one sports-related career (e.g., athletic trainer, physical therapist, sports scientist, etc.) and write two sentences about how knowledge of lactic acid fermentation helps professionals in that field.

Station 2: Partner/Peer Sharing
10

Fermentation Sorting Challenge: Categorize each item from the list of foods to one of the two categories: ethanol fermentation (produces alcohol + CO2) or lactic acid fermentation (produces lactic acid/lactate).

  • Beer
  • Cheese
  • Yogurt
  • Kombucha
  • Wine
  • Sauerkraut
  • Soy Sauce
  • Bread
  • Pickles
  • Kimchi
  • Ethanol Fermentation
  • Lactic Acid Fermentation
  • Both
2

Compare and Contrast Discussion - Pairs have a discussion and answer the following questions in complete sentences (no copy/paste from the internet).

How does the presence of oxygen affect fermentation in these foods?

2

Compare and Contrast Discussion - Pairs have a discussion and answer the following questions in complete sentences (no copy/paste from the internet).

Why do some of these foods have a tangy or sour taste?

2

Compare and Contrast Discussion - Pairs have a discussion and answer the following questions in complete sentences (no copy/paste from the internet).

Which fermented foods are common in your culture or household?

2

Compare and Contrast Discussion - Pairs have a discussion and answer the following questions in complete sentences (no copy/paste from the internet).

What microorganisms are involved in each type of fermentation?

1

Share one cool fact you learned today:

Station 3: Healthcare & Biology
1

What wavelength of red light was found to stimulate energy production in mitochondria?

1

What was the percentage reduction in blood glucose levels after glucose intake when exposed to red light?

1

What potential health issue is associated with prolonged exposure to blue light according to the study?

1

What is the primary function of mitochondria mentioned in the document?

1

How did the researchers conduct the study on the effects of red light?

1

What was the duration of red light exposure given to participants before the glucose intake?

1

What phenomenon does the study suggest red light may mediate, similar to effects seen in cancer treatment?

1

What type of lighting was predominant before the 1990s that had a balance of blue and red light?

1

What is a potential long-term consequence of living in an environment dominated by blue light?

1

What is the main conclusion drawn by Dr. Powner regarding red light therapy?

Station 4: Experimental Lab
3

Create and complete a data table to record observations made during the bromothymol blue experiment. You should have a row for each participant, column for each condition, and a column for each result (in seconds).

5

Write a conclusion summarizing your observations during the bromothymol blue experiment. Include the relationship between carbon dioxide and pH, and explain how this connects to cellular respiration.