Description:
This project was the last project we did in this class. It was an opportunity to do whatever we wanted, as long as it was related to biology and biotechnology. Similar to the solve a world problem project, we chose a problem we wanted to try and solve. After this, our group studied the plan and then found a solution to the problem. Then, we refined it, created a blueprint, and prepared a presentation to give to professionals in the biotechnology industry.
Concepts:
Photosynthesis is the process of turning light, water and carbon dioxide into energy in the form of glucose. Most autotrophs use photosynthesis. Photosynthesis takes place in the chloroplast of the plant cell. The equation for photosynthesis is as follows 6CO2 + 6H20 + Light = C6H12O6(glucose) + 602. The process of photosynthesis has two different steps that have to occur.
Light Dependent Reaction: Occurs in the thylakoid membranes in the chloroplast. This step uses H2O and light to make O2, ATP and NADPH.
Light Independent Reaction/Carbon Fixation: This reaction happens in the stroma of the chloroplast. This reaction uses ATP, NADPH and CO2(Carbon dioxide) to make glucose.
The Carbon Cycle:
The carbon cycle is an important biological cycle in ecology. Carbon is slowly used and recycled in the biosphere through the process of the carbon cycle. Carbon dioxide is in the atmosphere and gets absorbed by producers for photosynthesis. The producers then emit oxygen and use the carbon to build themselves up. If the plants are not eaten, they get broken down by decomposers and the carbon is then returned to the soil. Also, animals are broken down by decomposers and their carbon is returned to the soil. The process of cellular respiration results in the exhalation of carbon dioxide so plants and animals return a significant amount of carbon to the atmosphere. If the conditions are right, carbon creates a carbon sink where the carbon stays for millions of years and eventually ends up becoming a fossil fuel. Today, humans are using fossil fuels for energy, which releases all of their carbon into the atmosphere and compromises the balance of the carbon cycle. This is the cause of climate change, because the carbon does not go through the cycle fast enough to get all of the excess carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere.
Climate Change:
The climate is changing on Earth due to increased levels of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. The carbon cycle does not work quickly enough to get rid of this carbon from the atmosphere, so it lingers and traps heat in the atmosphere, causing rising temperatures across the globe. Also, this causes a positive feedback loop as the ice caps melt, resulting in less ice to reflect sunlight, which causes ice to melt faster.
Competition:
Competition is when both organisms involved in the interaction don't benefit and are damaged by the interaction. For example, two wolves competing for meat will both hurt each other in the interaction.
Reflection:
My partner and I worked excellently on this project. We had a few high points and low points. One of our high points in this project was beginning the project and making a decision on what problem we wanted to solve. However, we did have some low points in this project. One of these was struggling with finding a effective solution for the problem. One more high point in the project for us was working smoothly to finish ahead of our deadlines for the project. As a group, we finished stages with a lot of extra time, allowing us to make sure we did high quality work. Lastly, the final low point that we encountered was being unable to make a prototype for our solution due to legalities and also lack of funding. In conclusion, this project was a major success to finish the year in sophomore STEM.
This project was the last project we did in this class. It was an opportunity to do whatever we wanted, as long as it was related to biology and biotechnology. Similar to the solve a world problem project, we chose a problem we wanted to try and solve. After this, our group studied the plan and then found a solution to the problem. Then, we refined it, created a blueprint, and prepared a presentation to give to professionals in the biotechnology industry.
Concepts:
Photosynthesis is the process of turning light, water and carbon dioxide into energy in the form of glucose. Most autotrophs use photosynthesis. Photosynthesis takes place in the chloroplast of the plant cell. The equation for photosynthesis is as follows 6CO2 + 6H20 + Light = C6H12O6(glucose) + 602. The process of photosynthesis has two different steps that have to occur.
Light Dependent Reaction: Occurs in the thylakoid membranes in the chloroplast. This step uses H2O and light to make O2, ATP and NADPH.
Light Independent Reaction/Carbon Fixation: This reaction happens in the stroma of the chloroplast. This reaction uses ATP, NADPH and CO2(Carbon dioxide) to make glucose.
The Carbon Cycle:
The carbon cycle is an important biological cycle in ecology. Carbon is slowly used and recycled in the biosphere through the process of the carbon cycle. Carbon dioxide is in the atmosphere and gets absorbed by producers for photosynthesis. The producers then emit oxygen and use the carbon to build themselves up. If the plants are not eaten, they get broken down by decomposers and the carbon is then returned to the soil. Also, animals are broken down by decomposers and their carbon is returned to the soil. The process of cellular respiration results in the exhalation of carbon dioxide so plants and animals return a significant amount of carbon to the atmosphere. If the conditions are right, carbon creates a carbon sink where the carbon stays for millions of years and eventually ends up becoming a fossil fuel. Today, humans are using fossil fuels for energy, which releases all of their carbon into the atmosphere and compromises the balance of the carbon cycle. This is the cause of climate change, because the carbon does not go through the cycle fast enough to get all of the excess carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere.
Climate Change:
The climate is changing on Earth due to increased levels of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. The carbon cycle does not work quickly enough to get rid of this carbon from the atmosphere, so it lingers and traps heat in the atmosphere, causing rising temperatures across the globe. Also, this causes a positive feedback loop as the ice caps melt, resulting in less ice to reflect sunlight, which causes ice to melt faster.
Competition:
Competition is when both organisms involved in the interaction don't benefit and are damaged by the interaction. For example, two wolves competing for meat will both hurt each other in the interaction.
Reflection:
My partner and I worked excellently on this project. We had a few high points and low points. One of our high points in this project was beginning the project and making a decision on what problem we wanted to solve. However, we did have some low points in this project. One of these was struggling with finding a effective solution for the problem. One more high point in the project for us was working smoothly to finish ahead of our deadlines for the project. As a group, we finished stages with a lot of extra time, allowing us to make sure we did high quality work. Lastly, the final low point that we encountered was being unable to make a prototype for our solution due to legalities and also lack of funding. In conclusion, this project was a major success to finish the year in sophomore STEM.