Cell Energy Makeup Packet
Independent Learning & Make-Up Packet
Cellular Energy: Photosynthesis & ATP
Module 1: Solar Energy Capture, Chemical Storage, and Biochemical Foundations
Self-Contained Module
Page 1 of 3
Student Name: ______________________
Date: ________________
Period/Class: ___________
Independent Study Directions:
Read each passage carefully. All necessary concepts, chemical equations, and definitions are included on this worksheet. Answer every prompt directly in the spaces provided.
1
Reading Passage: Harvesting Sunlight in the Chloroplast
All living organisms require a continuous supply of energy to survive. Autotrophs (such as green plants, algae, and cyanobacteria) capture electromagnetic radiation from the sun and transform it into high-energy chemical bonds through photosynthesis inside specialized plant organelles called chloroplasts.
Inside the chloroplast, stacked membrane discs called thylakoids contain green pigments called chlorophyll. Chlorophyll absorbs blue and red wavelengths of light while reflecting green light. When sunlight strikes chlorophyll, water molecules (\(\text{H}_2\text{O}\)) are split, releasing oxygen gas (\(\text{O}_2\)) as a byproduct and charging molecules of ATP and NADPH (Light-Dependent Reactions). In the surrounding fluid called the stroma, carbon dioxide (\(\text{CO}_2\)) is combined with hydrogen to assemble glucose (\(\text{C}_6\text{H}_{12}\text{O}_6\)) during the Calvin Cycle (Light-Independent Reactions).
Chemical Equation for Photosynthesis
\( 6\text{CO}_2 \text{ (Carbon Dioxide)} + 6\text{H}_2\text{O} \text{ (Water)} + \text{Sunlight} \longrightarrow \text{C}_6\text{H}_{12}\text{O}_6 \text{ (Glucose)} + 6\text{O}_2 \text{ (Oxygen)} \)
2
Vocabulary in Context (Match Terms to Evidence)
Write the letter of the correct matching term in the blank box next to each description.
A. Chloroplast B. Thylakoid C. Chlorophyll D. Stroma E. Autotroph F. ATP
1. Light-absorbing green pigment in leaves.
2. Disc membrane sacs where water is split.
3. Fluid space where glucose is synthesized.
4. Organism making food from solar energy.
3
Reading Comprehension & Analysis
Q1: What are the two primary inputs (reactants) required for photosynthesis, and what energy source powers them?
Q2: Explain why green plants appear green based on how chlorophyll absorbs and reflects light wavelengths.
Part 2: Energy Release & Aerobic Metabolism
Cellular Respiration & Mitochondria
Module 2: Breaking Glucose, ATP Synthesis, and Aerobic Pathways
Student Worksheet Page 2 of 3
4
Reading Passage: Unlocking Energy in the Mitochondrion
While photosynthesis stores energy in glucose, cellular respiration is the biochemical process that releases that stored energy to make adenosine triphosphate (ATP)—the universal energy currency of all living cells. Both autotrophs (plants) and heterotrophs (animals and fungi) perform cellular respiration.
Respiration begins in the cytoplasm with glycolysis, breaking glucose into pyruvate (producing 2 ATP). In the presence of oxygen (aerobic respiration), pyruvate enters the mitochondria. The Krebs cycle occurs in the inner fluid (matrix), generating \(\text{CO}_2\) and electron carriers. Finally, electrons pass along the folded inner membrane (cristae), combining with oxygen to produce water (\(\text{H}_2\text{O}\)) and generating approximately 32–34 ATP.
Chemical Equation for Cellular Respiration
\( \text{C}_6\text{H}_{12}\text{O}_6 \text{ (Glucose)} + 6\text{O}_2 \text{ (Oxygen)} \longrightarrow 6\text{CO}_2 \text{ (Carbon Dioxide)} + 6\text{H}_2\text{O} \text{ (Water)} + \text{36–38 ATP} \)
5
Anatomy of the Mitochondrion (Labeling Task)
Matrix Fluid
[A] Outer Membrane [B] Cristae Fold
Figure 1. Cross-Section of Mitochondrion
Match structure to biochemical function:
Folds maximizing surface area for ATP production: Answer: ______________
Inner fluid where Krebs Cycle breaks down pyruvate: Answer: ______________
6
Process Comparison: Photosynthesis vs. Respiration
Complete the comparative summary table using information from pages 1 and 2.
| Feature / Attribute | Photosynthesis | Cellular Respiration |
|---|
| Primary Organelle | Chloroplast | ____________________ |
| Reactants (Inputs) | \(\text{CO}_2 + \text{H}_2\text{O} +\) Light | ____________________ |
| Products (Outputs) | ____________________ | \(\text{CO}_2 + \text{H}_2\text{O} + \text{ATP}\) |
| Energy Transformation | Light \(\rightarrow\) Chemical (Glucose) | ____________________ |
Part 3: Scientific Analysis & Real-World Application
The Carbon-Energy Cycle & Analysis
Module 3: Experimental Analysis, Interdependence, and Formative Assessment
Synthesis & Mastery Page 3 of 3
7
Case Study: The Sealed Biosphere Experiment
A biology student sets up a sealed, airtight glass flask containing pond water, an aquatic green plant (Elodea), and a freshwater snail. The water contains a pH indicator that turns yellow when \(\text{CO}_2\) is high and blue when \(\text{CO}_2\) is low.
Condition 1 (Light): Under bright sunlight for 48 hours, both organisms thrive and the water turns blue.
Condition 2 (Dark): Wrapped in foil for 72 hours, the water turns yellow.
Sealed Flask
Elodea + Snail
Ecosystem Model
A. Why did the liquid turn blue in bright light? (Which gas was absorbed?)
B. Why did the liquid turn yellow in the dark? (Which process produced \(\text{CO}_2\)?)
8
Critical Thinking & Synthesis Questions
Q1: Explain why plant cells require both chloroplasts AND mitochondria to survive.
Q2: How do the equations for photosynthesis and cellular respiration demonstrate the Law of Conservation of Matter?
Student Make-Up Verification & Checklist Check off each item before submission
Page 1: Vocab & Qs Complete
Page 2: Matrix & Diagram Labeled
Page 3: Lab Analysis & Synthesis Done
