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Energy Storage in Plants: Should Biofuels Be Made from Seeds or Leaves and Stems?

The investigation involves students determining where plants store potential energy (a.k.a., chemical energy). In the investigation, students will grow rapid cycling Brassica rapa plants and observe that the dry weight (mass) increases because of photosynthesis. They will measure the amount of energy stored in seeds and vegetative tissues by using a simple calorimeter. The information collected by the students is evaluated as it relates to potential sources of biofuels.
Associated files
Format
Resource Group Biofuels
Primary or BEN resource type
Secondary resource type
General Biology Core Concepts
Discipline Specific Core Concepts
General Biology Competencies
Life science discipline (subject)
Keywords biofuel, Brassica rapa, calorimeter, energy, photosynthesis, potential energy
Key taxa Brassica rapa
Audience
Intended End User Role
Language
Educational Language
Pedagogical Use Category
Pedagogical Use Description The students make calorimetry measurements and dry weight measurements to show that plants gain mass and energy through the process of photosynthesis. Elements of directed inquiry are used because the students are not given the expected results of their experiments. The student are asked to relate their results to the summary equation of photosynthesis.
Uniqueness This laboratory investigation is derived from a biofuels curriculum developed at the University of Detroit Mercy. Thus, the student are analyzing their data and relating their results in the contacts of a real world problem.
Aggregation Level
Structure
Full Name of Primary Author Stokes S. Baker
Primary Author Controlled Name
Primary Author Affiliation Biology Department
University of Detroit Mercy
4001 W. McNichols Rd.
Detroit, MI 48221
Primary Author email bakerss@udmercy.edu
Secondary Author Name(s) Eric Spicuzza
Secondary Author Affiliation(s) Biology Department
University of Detroit Mercy
4001 W. McNichols Rd.
Detroit, MI 48221
Secondary Author Email(s) spicuzza@msu.edu
Added By Id
  • bakerss
Submitter Name Stokes S. Baker
Submitter Email bakerss@udmercy.edu
Rights The author retains the copyright for all submitted material.
License
Publisher
Review type
Drought and Water Ecosystem Services Collection Off
Conservation Targets Under Global Change Collection Off
Big Data Collection Off
Editors Choice No
Resource Status
Date Of Record Submission 2016-04-02
I Agree to EcoEdDL's Copyright Policy & Terms of Use No
Date Of Record Release 2016-04-26 15:15:30
Last Modified By Id
  • tmourad
Date Last Modified 2016-04-26 15:15:30
Release Flag Published

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