Photosynthesis and Cellular Respiration Kit for AP Biology

Photosynthesis and Cellular Respiration Kit for AP Biology

Explore both photosynthesis and cellular respiration using algae beads and a simple colorimetric assay. Curriculum includes structured, guided, and open inquiry investigations that cover Big Idea 2.

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Overview

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Teach both photosynthesis and cellular respiration simultaneously in a single lab. The Photosynthesis and Cellular Respiration Kit for AP Biology is a fun, easy to use, and more reliable alternative to the leaf disk and microrespirometer labs. Use the novel algae beads in this kit to help you dispel the common student misconception that plants do only photosynthesis, and only animals do cellular respiration.

Students will explore both photosynthesis and cellular respiration in a single organism (an alga) using a simple colorimetric assay to yield qualitative and/or quantitative results. The included student and teacher manuals will guide you and your students through a series of structured, guided, and open inquiry investigations.

Features and Benefits

Introduction to Algae Beads, Photosynthesis, and Cellular Respiration

The Photosynthesis and Cellular Respiration Kit is a ThINQ!™ Investigation, designed to make students think through scientific discovery. This kit contains curriculum and sufficient materials for eight student workstations to complete the following activities:

  • 3 pre-lab activities — to review concepts and help students make cross-connections
  • 6 inquiry investigations:
    • 2 structured inquiry investigations — to familiarize students with the core experiment and use of the scientific method
    • 4 open/guided inquiry investigations — to lead students through asking scientific questions, designing experiments, and analyzing results
  • 1 AP-style post-lab assessment question — to test student learning
  • 1 science case study — to apply student knowledge in real-world science scenarios

The Instructor's Guide gives you the tools to lead your class through multiple levels of inquiry:

  • Teachable moment suggestions to help your students through the inquiry process
  • Sample experimental designs and results for the inquiry investigations
  • Tips and tricks suggested by teachers and scientists to help you save time, conserve supplies, and avoid common mistakes
  • Answer key to the student manual (Science Case Study, Post-Lab Assessment, ThINQ! and Focus Questions)
  • Alignment with the 2012 AP curriculum (essential knowledge, learning objectives, and science practices) to cover AP Big Idea 2 and cross-cut to Big Ideas 1 and 4

Use Bio-Rad's free teaching resources to enhance your students' learning experience with the Photosynthesis and Cellular Respiration Kit.

How It Works

The algae beads (microalgae encapsulated in alginate) included in this kit are easy to handle and can be used for multiple experiments. The algae beads are incubated in a CO2 indicator solution that is sensitive to changes in pH caused by gaseous CO2 dissolving in water to form carbonic acid according to this equilibrium:

CO2 + H2O ⇔ H2CO3 ⇔ HCO3 + H+

The experimental setup of the Photosynthesis and Cellular Respiration Kit allows students to track photosynthesis by CO2 consumption and cellular respiration by CO2 production.

Experimental Setup

Teaching Resources

See the Documents tab for teaching resources and supporting materials such as:

Specifications

Kit contains sufficient materials for 8 student workstations
(2-4 students per workstation)
Store at 4°C
 
Algae beads
170
10x CO2 indicator
50 ml
Debeading solution
20 ml
Store at room temperature
 
Disposable cuvettes
100 (with caps)
Disposable plastic transfer pipets
60
Indicator color guide
8
Instructor's Guide, AP Biology
1

Ordering

items

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17001238EDU
Pkg of 1, 170 algae beads, 50 ml 10x CO2 indicator, 20 ml debeading solution, 100 disposable cuvettes (with caps), 60 disposable plastic transfer pipets, and indicator color guides for 32 students, inquiry-driven curriculum, education use only.

Refills

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photosynthesis-and-cellular-respiration-reagent-refill-pack-17002353edu-thumb.jpg
12002353EDU

Pkg of 1, 170 algae beads, 50 ml 10x CO2 indicator, and 20 ml debeading solution for use with Photosynthesis and Cellular Respiration Kit (17001238EDU); education use only. Requires storage at 4°C.

Image
166-0504edu_tn.jpg
1660504EDU

120 V, 6 L water bath, ambient to 100°C, includes stainless steel tank and gable cover, over-temperature protection, non-mercury thermometer, CE approved; education use only

Documents

Number Description Options
10000066050
Student Manual, Photosynthesis and Cellular Respiration Kit for AP Biology
10000085021
Color Indicator Guide Template
10000066741
Light Filter Template for Transparencies
6730
Experimental Design and Planning Worksheet
10000066047
Case Study, “Where Have All the Brown Shrimp Gone?”
6856
Planning Guide, Photosynthesis and Cellular Respiration Kit for AP Biology
6874
Core Lab Quick Guide, Photosynthesis and Cellular Respiration Kit for AP Biology 
6771
AP Biology Alignment, Photosynthesis and Cellular Respiration Kit for AP Biology
10000066049
Teacher Model Process, Photosynthesis and Cellular Respiration Kit for AP Biology
6871
Preview of Teacher Guides to ThINQ! Investigations, Ver A
6605
Map of AP-Aligned Bio-Rad Kits with Learning Objectives
7151
Science, Food, and Environment AP Strand Poster, Ver A
7184
Response to Environment AP Strand Poster, Ver A