Where does food come from and where does it go next? This unit on the cycling of matter and photosynthesis begins with 7th grade students reflecting on what they ate for breakfast. Students are prompted to consider where their food comes from and consider which breakfast items might be from plants. Then students taste a common breakfast food, maple syrup, and see that according to the label, it is 100% from a tree.

OpenSciEd content is highly rated in EdReports and is aligned to NGSS standards.

What causes fires in ecosystems to burn, and how should we manage them? What causes fires in ecosystems to burn, and how should we manage them? This unit is designed to help students build a deeper understanding of the flow of matter and energy within ecosystems and the cycling of carbon on a global scale due to increased fires. Students read about mysterious arctic fires popping up near the burn scars of old fires and do a visual inquiry to obtain more information about what is happening with matter and energy in these arctic fire systems. To figure out how these fires can burn under ice and release so much carbon dioxide, students explore the interactions between peat, permafrost, decomposers, the sun, and other components of the system by investigating burning fuels, measuring the rate of decomposition and photosynthesis under different conditions. Students are motivated to see if they can generalize this phenomenon to other systems and the effect of increased carbon dioxide on the atmosphere. Students quantitatively model how matter and energy flow through different earth systems and different levels within an ecosystem. Finally, students use what they have figured out about positive feedback effects to design solutions to disrupt that flow of matter and energy in communities they care about.

OpenSciEd content is highly rated in EdReports and is aligned to NGSS standards.

Biology 2e is designed to cover the scope and sequence requirements of a typical two-semester biology course for science majors. The text provides comprehensive coverage of foundational research and core biology concepts through an evolutionary lens. Biology includes rich features that engage students in scientific inquiry, highlight careers in the biological sciences, and offer everyday applications. The book also includes various types of practice and homework questions that help students understand—and apply—key concepts. The 2nd edition has been revised to incorporate clearer, more current, and more dynamic explanations, while maintaining the same organization as the first edition. Art and illustrations have been substantially improved, and the textbook features additional assessments and related resources.

Biology is designed for multi-semester biology courses for science majors. It is grounded on an evolutionary basis and includes exciting features that highlight careers in the biological sciences and everyday applications of the concepts at hand. To meet the needs of today’s instructors and students, some content has been strategically condensed while maintaining the overall scope and coverage of traditional texts for this course. Instructors can customize the book, adapting it to the approach that works best in their classroom. Biology also includes an innovative art program that incorporates critical thinking and clicker questions to help students understand—and apply—key concepts.

By the end of this section, you will be able to do the following:

Discuss the ways in which carbohydrate metabolic pathways, glycolysis, and the citric acid cycle interrelate with protein and lipid metabolic pathways
Explain why metabolic pathways are not considered closed systems

By the end of this section, you will be able to do the following:

Explain the significance of photosynthesis to other living organisms
Describe the main structures involved in photosynthesis
Identify the substrates and products of photosynthesis

By the end of this section, you will be able to do the following:

Explain how plants absorb energy from sunlight
Describe short and long wavelengths of light
Describe how and where photosynthesis takes place within a plant

By the end of this section, you will be able to do the following:

Describe the Calvin cycle
Define carbon fixation
Explain how photosynthesis works in the energy cycle of all living organisms

This 9-minute video lesson looks at how CAM Plants are able to fix carbon at night so they don't have to keep their stomata open during the day. [Biology playlist: Lesson 34 of 71].

Khan Academy learning modules include a Community space where users can ask questions and seek help from community members. Educators should consult with their Technology administrators to determine the use of Khan Academy learning modules in their classroom. Please review materials from external sites before sharing with students.

Learn about the carbon cycle.[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.]

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Describes the first cells and the evolution of photosynthesis and cellular respiration.

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Discusses the importance of plants to life on Earth.

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Describes the light reactions, the first stage of photosynthesis.

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This 17-minute video lesson provides more detail on the Calvin Cycle and Photorespiration. [Biology playlist: Lesson 32 of 71].

Khan Academy learning modules include a Community space where users can ask questions and seek help from community members. Educators should consult with their Technology administrators to determine the use of Khan Academy learning modules in their classroom. Please review materials from external sites before sharing with students.

This 14-minute video lesson presents an overview of photosythesis. [Biology playlist: Lesson 28 of 71].

Khan Academy learning modules include a Community space where users can ask questions and seek help from community members. Educators should consult with their Technology administrators to determine the use of Khan Academy learning modules in their classroom. Please review materials from external sites before sharing with students.

Describes the role of leaves in photosynthesis.

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