Cell Respiration: Releasing Energy
Cell Respiration: Releasing Energy
Objectives
In this lesson, students will learn how living things obtain energy through cell respiration. Students will:
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describe the process of cell respiration.
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relate the structure of mitochondria to its function in cell respiration.
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explain how organisms use the energy from cell respiration.
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contrast the processes of cell respiration and photosynthesis.
Essential Questions
Vocabulary
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Cell Respiration: The process by which cells use oxygen to break down food molecules and release their stored energy.
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ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate): A high-energy molecule that cells use for processes such as growth and movement.
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Mitochondria: The cell organelles where cell respiration takes place. Mitochondrion refers to just one and mitochondria is plural.
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Glucose: Also known as blood sugar, a simple sugar broken down in cells to produce energy.
Duration
60 minutes/1–2 class periods
Prerequisite Skills
Materials
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Cell Respiration Is the Opposite of Photosynthesis (S-7-8-3_Cell Respiration Is the Opposite of Photosynthesis.docx and S-7-8-3_Cell Respiration Is the Opposite of Photosynthesis KEY.docx)
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Cell Respiration Vocabulary (S-7-8-3_Cell Respiration Vocabulary.docx) (optional)
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computers with Internet access (optional)
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a poster board with the equation for photosynthesis on one side and the equation for respiration on the opposite side (to be held up so that students know where to position themselves)
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one piece of construction paper with a “+” on it
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one piece of construction paper with an arrow to represent the yields sign
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one piece of construction paper that reads “carbon dioxide”
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one piece of construction paper that reads “water”
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one piece of construction paper that reads “glucose”
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one piece of construction paper that reads “oxygen”
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one piece of construction paper that reads “energy”
Related Unit and Lesson Plans
Related Materials & Resources
The possible inclusion of commercial websites below is not an implied endorsement of their products, which are not free, and are not required for this lesson plan.
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Labeled image of a mitochondrion:
http://giantshoulders.files.wordpress.com/2007/10/mitochondria.jpg
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Mitochondria Structure and Function
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Science Clarified: Respiration
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Photosynthesis and Respiration
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Illuminating Photosynthesis (Interactive Simulation of Photosynthesis and Respiration)
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BioFax! Respiration versus Photosynthesis Lab Investigation