How to translate text using browser tools
1 September 2017 A Classroom Simulation Activity to Visualize Energy and Matter Transformation in Cellular Respiration and Photosynthesis
Lace A. Svec
Author Affiliations +
Abstract

Undergraduate introductory biology students at the university level often struggle to trace movement of matter and energy through catabolic and anabolic processes in biological systems. A sequential guided simulation of cellular respiration and photosynthesis provides students an opportunity to actively model and visualize matter transformation and energy accumulation and degradation through the movement of molecular and energy “game pieces.” The activity was designed to help students generate a simplified outline of these two highly complex processes, while reinforcing the principles of conservation of matter and energy. My students participated in this activity during peer-led review sessions in an undergraduate, introductory, majors biology course (ca.150 students in 18 SI sessions over two semesters), but instructors could also easily adapt it for use in small lecture or laboratory classrooms, introductory cell biology, physiology, and ecology courses, or with high school students.

© 2017 National Association of Biology Teachers. All rights reserved. Please direct all requests for permission to photocopy or reproduce article content through the University of California Press's Reprints and Permissions web page, www.ucpress.edu/journals.php?p=reprints.
Lace A. Svec "A Classroom Simulation Activity to Visualize Energy and Matter Transformation in Cellular Respiration and Photosynthesis," The American Biology Teacher 79(7), 552-561, (1 September 2017). https://doi.org/10.1525/abt.2017.79.7.552
Published: 1 September 2017
JOURNAL ARTICLE
10 PAGES

This article is only available to subscribers.
It is not available for individual sale.
+ SAVE TO MY LIBRARY

KEYWORDS
Active learning
Cellular respiration
energy transformation
matter cycling
misconceptions
photosynthesis
simulation
RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS
Get copyright permission
Back to Top