Return to Biology 1114 Scenario Index


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The Rainbow Connection

Scenario: A scuba diver is collecting brownish-green algae for the Smithsonian. During her collection, she cuts her finger and is aghast to discover that her blood is brownish-green. Imagine her relief when she surfaces and realizes that her blood looks normally red, as is the algae she collected. We explore the origin of these color changes as a means of demonstrating the physical properties of light, light energy capture by organisms, and photosynthesis.

Concepts Taught:

Icon Key:
activity
animation
diagram
quiz
text explanation

Concept Map:

 

Concepts Reviewed:

Examples of In-Class Discussion Questions: 

Major Terms Introduced:

Absorbance
Absorbtion spectrum
Accessory pigments
Autotroph
Camouflage
Chloroplast
Chlorophyll a
Grana

Light dependent reaction
Light independent reaction
Mimicry
Photon
Photophosphorylation
Photoreceptor
Photosynthesis
 Photosystems I and II

Retina
Rods and cones
Stroma
Warning coloration
Wavelength
Reaction center
Red algae
Reflectance

Related Laboratory Experiments and Tutorials:


Lab 7. How does the color of light influence the rate of photosynthesis?

Lab 8. How do environmental or anatomical factors effect the rate at which plants
            remove water from  the soil?


Text Readings:

Click here for Textbook Readings!

 

Corresponding Essential Study Partner Segments:

The Essential Study Partner is part of the McGraw-Hill Web Site.
To access it go here. Then follow these relevant paths below:

  • Cells > Photosynthesis > Light and Pigments
  • Cells > Photosynthesis > Chloroplast
  • Cells > Photosynthesis > Light-dependent Reactions
  • Cells > Photosynthesis > Light-independent Reactions
  • Animals > Sense Organs > Light Receptors

    • Many of these are figures and accompanying text, but some are video clips that should help you see the process in action.

    Tutorials :

    Useful sites:

    The site for your textbook Life by Ricki Lewis


    source
    		Scuba diving links ­ http://www.wgn.net/~fabio/gallery/mylinks.htm

    source
    		Red algae pictures The Tree of Life Web Project (ToL) is a collaborative effort of biolgists around the world. On more than 4000 World Wide Web pages, the project provides information about the diversity of organisms on Earth, their evolutionary history (phylogeny), and characteristics.

    source
    		The Tech Museum | Discover | Online Exhibits the online exhibit, Make a Spash With Color, provides an easy to understand description of the components of color, aspects of visible and non-visible light, the structure of the eye, and the process that occurs within the eye that enables us to see.

    source
    		The Human Eye and Single Photons describes how the human eye processes light

    source
    		Cell Biology provides descriptions, diagrams, and animated illustrations of how the phases and components of photosynthesis work

    source
    		 Photosynthesis a thorough description of the factors and phases of photosynthesis

    source
    		PHOTOSYNTHESIS An in depth and easy to understand guide to photosynthesis including charts and pictures

    source
    		Chloroplast Diagram A diagram showing the components within a chloroplast

    source
    		Biology Center Includes information and diagrams pertaining to basic biology concepts such as cells, photosynthesis, mitosis, and DNA

    Textbook Flashcards:

    The website for your textbook has flashcards organised by chapters. You are only responsible for topics discussed in class. For this scenario, flashcards with the Major Terms Introduced can be found in:

    Chapter 6: Photosynthesis

     

    Bibliography:
      1. Lewis, R. Life 3rd edition. WCB/McGraw-Hill:NY