Question
Vocabulary: aerobic, anaerobic, ATP, cellular respiration, chemical energy, chlorophyll,
chloroplast, cytoplasm, glucose, glycolysis, mitochondria, photosynthesis, radiant energy
Prior Knowledge Questions (Do these BEFORE using the Gizmo.)
1. What does a plant need to survive and grow?
2. What does an animal need to survive and grow?
3. How do animals and plants depend on each other?
The Cell Energy Cycle Gizmo™ illustrates two
processes that are essential to life: photosynthesis
and cellular respiration.
Although both of these processes involve a series of
complex steps, the inputs and outputs of each process
are four relatively simple molecules.
1. What is the chemical formula of oxygen? _______
2. Glucose is a simple sugar. What is the chemical
formula of glucose? _________________________
3. What is the chemical formula of carbon dioxide? _______
4. What is the chemical formula of water? _______
Activity A:
Photosynthesis
Introduction: Photosynthesis occurs in the chloroplast, an organelle found in plant and algae
cells. Within the chloroplast, a green pigment called chlorophyll converts the radiant energy of
sunlight into chemical energy that the plant can use.
Question: What are the inputs and outputs of photosynthesis?
1. Predict: Of the molecules shown on the MOLECULES pane, which do you think are inputs
(ingredients) in photosynthesis? Which do you think are outputs?
Inputs: ___________________________ Outputs: ____________________________
2. Explore: Drag each molecule from the MOLECULES pane to the chloroplast on the
PHOTOSYNTHESIS pane. If a molecule is an input, it will stay in the chloroplast.
Which molecules are inputs in photosynthesis? ___________________________________
3. What are the outputs of photosynthesis?
4. Summarize: Although photosynthesis is a complex process involving many reactions, it can
be summarized by a simplified formula that shows inputs on the left and outputs on the right.
Based on your observations, write a simplified formula for photosynthesis:
__________ + __________ __________ + __________
Turn on Show input/output formula to check. Were you correct? _____________
5. Challenge: To balance the inputs and outputs of photosynthesis, there should be the same
number of carbon, oxygen, and hydrogen atoms on each side of the arrow.
A. Is the formula balanced as written? Why or why not?
B. Now balance the input/output formula by adding coefficients to each molecule. Write
the balanced formula below, and then check your work by clicking Balance.
___ _________ + ___ _________ ___ _________ + ___ _________
Activity B:
Cellular
respiration
Introduction: Cellular respiration occurs in the cytoplasm of the cell and in mitochondria,
organelles found in all complex cells. (Bacteria and other simple organisms do not contain
mitochondria.) The Gizmo shows a mitochondrion surrounded by yellow cytoplasm.
Question: What are the inputs and outputs of cellular respiration?
1. Predict: Of the molecules shown on the MOLECULES pane, which do you think are inputs
(ingredients) in cellular respiration? Which do you think are outputs?
Inputs: ___________________________ Outputs: ____________________________
2. Explore: Drag each molecule from the MOLECULES pane to the RESPIRATION pane.
Which molecules are inputs in cellular respiration?
3. Observe: Click Next. What happens in the cytoplasm?
This process is called glycolysis. Two pyruvate (C3H3O3
–
) molecules are produced in
glycolysis. The released energy is used to form a net of two ATP (adenosine triphosphate)
molecules. Energy is later released when ATP molecules are broken down.
4. Observe: Click Next. What happens now? _______________________________________
5. Observe: Click Next. What happens in the mitochondrion?
Energy from the mitochondrion is also stored in the form of ATP. A net of 30 ATP molecules
are produced for every two molecules of pyruvate.
6. Analyze: Cellular respiration involves two phases. The anaerobic phase does not involve
oxygen, while the aerobic phase does. Where does each phase take place?
Anaerobic: ________________________________________________________________
Aerobic: __________________________________________________________________
chloroplast, cytoplasm, glucose, glycolysis, mitochondria, photosynthesis, radiant energy
Prior Knowledge Questions (Do these BEFORE using the Gizmo.)
1. What does a plant need to survive and grow?
2. What does an animal need to survive and grow?
3. How do animals and plants depend on each other?
The Cell Energy Cycle Gizmo™ illustrates two
processes that are essential to life: photosynthesis
and cellular respiration.
Although both of these processes involve a series of
complex steps, the inputs and outputs of each process
are four relatively simple molecules.
1. What is the chemical formula of oxygen? _______
2. Glucose is a simple sugar. What is the chemical
formula of glucose? _________________________
3. What is the chemical formula of carbon dioxide? _______
4. What is the chemical formula of water? _______
Activity A:
Photosynthesis
Introduction: Photosynthesis occurs in the chloroplast, an organelle found in plant and algae
cells. Within the chloroplast, a green pigment called chlorophyll converts the radiant energy of
sunlight into chemical energy that the plant can use.
Question: What are the inputs and outputs of photosynthesis?
1. Predict: Of the molecules shown on the MOLECULES pane, which do you think are inputs
(ingredients) in photosynthesis? Which do you think are outputs?
Inputs: ___________________________ Outputs: ____________________________
2. Explore: Drag each molecule from the MOLECULES pane to the chloroplast on the
PHOTOSYNTHESIS pane. If a molecule is an input, it will stay in the chloroplast.
Which molecules are inputs in photosynthesis? ___________________________________
3. What are the outputs of photosynthesis?
4. Summarize: Although photosynthesis is a complex process involving many reactions, it can
be summarized by a simplified formula that shows inputs on the left and outputs on the right.
Based on your observations, write a simplified formula for photosynthesis:
__________ + __________ __________ + __________
Turn on Show input/output formula to check. Were you correct? _____________
5. Challenge: To balance the inputs and outputs of photosynthesis, there should be the same
number of carbon, oxygen, and hydrogen atoms on each side of the arrow.
A. Is the formula balanced as written? Why or why not?
B. Now balance the input/output formula by adding coefficients to each molecule. Write
the balanced formula below, and then check your work by clicking Balance.
___ _________ + ___ _________ ___ _________ + ___ _________
Activity B:
Cellular
respiration
Introduction: Cellular respiration occurs in the cytoplasm of the cell and in mitochondria,
organelles found in all complex cells. (Bacteria and other simple organisms do not contain
mitochondria.) The Gizmo shows a mitochondrion surrounded by yellow cytoplasm.
Question: What are the inputs and outputs of cellular respiration?
1. Predict: Of the molecules shown on the MOLECULES pane, which do you think are inputs
(ingredients) in cellular respiration? Which do you think are outputs?
Inputs: ___________________________ Outputs: ____________________________
2. Explore: Drag each molecule from the MOLECULES pane to the RESPIRATION pane.
Which molecules are inputs in cellular respiration?
3. Observe: Click Next. What happens in the cytoplasm?
This process is called glycolysis. Two pyruvate (C3H3O3
–
) molecules are produced in
glycolysis. The released energy is used to form a net of two ATP (adenosine triphosphate)
molecules. Energy is later released when ATP molecules are broken down.
4. Observe: Click Next. What happens now? _______________________________________
5. Observe: Click Next. What happens in the mitochondrion?
Energy from the mitochondrion is also stored in the form of ATP. A net of 30 ATP molecules
are produced for every two molecules of pyruvate.
6. Analyze: Cellular respiration involves two phases. The anaerobic phase does not involve
oxygen, while the aerobic phase does. Where does each phase take place?
Anaerobic: ________________________________________________________________
Aerobic: __________________________________________________________________
Answers
GPT-4o mini
### Prior Knowledge Questions
1. **What does a plant need to survive and grow?**
- Plants need sunlight, water, carbon dioxide, and nutrients from the soil to survive and grow.
2. **What does an animal need to survive and grow?**
- Animals need food (which provides energy), water, oxygen, and shelter to survive and grow.
3. **How do animals and plants depend on each other?**
- Plants produce oxygen and food (glucose) through photosynthesis, which animals need for respiration. Animals, in turn, produce carbon dioxide as a waste product of respiration, which plants use for photosynthesis.
### The Cell Energy Cycle Gizmo™ Questions
1. **What is the chemical formula of oxygen?**
- O₂
2. **Glucose is a simple sugar. What is the chemical formula of glucose?**
- C₆H₁₂O₆
3. **What is the chemical formula of carbon dioxide?**
- CO₂
4. **What is the chemical formula of water?**
- H₂O
### Activity A: Photosynthesis
1. **Predict: Of the molecules shown on the MOLECULES pane, which do you think are inputs (ingredients) in photosynthesis? Which do you think are outputs?**
- **Inputs:** Water (H₂O), carbon dioxide (CO₂)
- **Outputs:** Glucose (C₆H₁₂O₆), oxygen (O₂)
2. **Explore: Drag each molecule from the MOLECULES pane to the chloroplast on the PHOTOSYNTHESIS pane. If a molecule is an input, it will stay in the chloroplast. Which molecules are inputs in photosynthesis?**
- **Inputs in Photosynthesis:** Water (H₂O) and carbon dioxide (CO₂)
3. **What are the outputs of photosynthesis?**
- **Outputs:** Glucose (C₆H₁₂O₆) and oxygen (O₂)
4. **Summarize: Although photosynthesis is a complex process involving many reactions, it can be summarized by a simplified formula that shows inputs on the left and outputs on the right. Based on your observations, write a simplified formula for photosynthesis:**
- **Formula:** CO₂ + H₂O → C₆H₁₂O₆ + O₂
**Were you correct?** (This question requires checking with the Gizmo tool to confirm the formula.)
5. **Challenge: To balance the inputs and outputs of photosynthesis, there should be the same number of carbon, oxygen, and hydrogen atoms on each side of the arrow.**
A. **Is the formula balanced as written? Why or why not?**
- **It is not balanced as written because the number of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms differs on both sides.**
B. **Now balance the input/output formula by adding coefficients to each molecule. Write the balanced formula below, and then check your work by clicking Balance.**
- **Balanced Formula:** 6 CO₂ + 6 H₂O → 1 C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6 O₂
### Activity B: Cellular Respiration
1. **Predict: Of the molecules shown on the MOLECULES pane, which do you think are inputs (ingredients) in cellular respiration? Which do you think are outputs?**
- **Inputs:** Glucose (C₆H₁₂O₆), oxygen (O₂)
- **Outputs:** Carbon dioxide (CO₂), water (H₂O), ATP (energy)
2. **Explore: Drag each molecule from the MOLECULES pane to the RESPIRATION pane. Which molecules are inputs in cellular respiration?**
- **Inputs in Cellular Respiration:** Glucose (C₆H₁₂O₆) and oxygen (O₂)
3. **Observe: Click Next. What happens in the cytoplasm? This process is called glycolysis. Two pyruvate (C₃H₃O₃⁻) molecules are produced in glycolysis. The released energy is used to form a net of two ATP (adenosine triphosphate) molecules. Energy is later released when ATP molecules are broken down.**
- **In the cytoplasm, glycolysis occurs, producing pyruvate and releasing energy used to form ATP.**
4. **Observe: Click Next. What happens now?**
- **After glycolysis, the pyruvate molecules enter the mitochondria for further processing, where the aerobic phase occurs.**
5. **Observe: Click Next. What happens in the mitochondrion? Energy from the mitochondrion is also stored in the form of ATP. A net of 30 ATP molecules are produced for every two molecules of pyruvate.**
- **In the mitochondrion, the Krebs cycle and electron transport chain occur, producing a significant amount of ATP through aerobic respiration.**
6. **Analyze: Cellular respiration involves two phases. The anaerobic phase does not involve oxygen, while the aerobic phase does. Where does each phase take place?**
- **Anaerobic Phase:** Cytoplasm (glycolysis)
- **Aerobic Phase:** Mitochondria (Krebs cycle and electron transport chain)
1. **What does a plant need to survive and grow?**
- Plants need sunlight, water, carbon dioxide, and nutrients from the soil to survive and grow.
2. **What does an animal need to survive and grow?**
- Animals need food (which provides energy), water, oxygen, and shelter to survive and grow.
3. **How do animals and plants depend on each other?**
- Plants produce oxygen and food (glucose) through photosynthesis, which animals need for respiration. Animals, in turn, produce carbon dioxide as a waste product of respiration, which plants use for photosynthesis.
### The Cell Energy Cycle Gizmo™ Questions
1. **What is the chemical formula of oxygen?**
- O₂
2. **Glucose is a simple sugar. What is the chemical formula of glucose?**
- C₆H₁₂O₆
3. **What is the chemical formula of carbon dioxide?**
- CO₂
4. **What is the chemical formula of water?**
- H₂O
### Activity A: Photosynthesis
1. **Predict: Of the molecules shown on the MOLECULES pane, which do you think are inputs (ingredients) in photosynthesis? Which do you think are outputs?**
- **Inputs:** Water (H₂O), carbon dioxide (CO₂)
- **Outputs:** Glucose (C₆H₁₂O₆), oxygen (O₂)
2. **Explore: Drag each molecule from the MOLECULES pane to the chloroplast on the PHOTOSYNTHESIS pane. If a molecule is an input, it will stay in the chloroplast. Which molecules are inputs in photosynthesis?**
- **Inputs in Photosynthesis:** Water (H₂O) and carbon dioxide (CO₂)
3. **What are the outputs of photosynthesis?**
- **Outputs:** Glucose (C₆H₁₂O₆) and oxygen (O₂)
4. **Summarize: Although photosynthesis is a complex process involving many reactions, it can be summarized by a simplified formula that shows inputs on the left and outputs on the right. Based on your observations, write a simplified formula for photosynthesis:**
- **Formula:** CO₂ + H₂O → C₆H₁₂O₆ + O₂
**Were you correct?** (This question requires checking with the Gizmo tool to confirm the formula.)
5. **Challenge: To balance the inputs and outputs of photosynthesis, there should be the same number of carbon, oxygen, and hydrogen atoms on each side of the arrow.**
A. **Is the formula balanced as written? Why or why not?**
- **It is not balanced as written because the number of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms differs on both sides.**
B. **Now balance the input/output formula by adding coefficients to each molecule. Write the balanced formula below, and then check your work by clicking Balance.**
- **Balanced Formula:** 6 CO₂ + 6 H₂O → 1 C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6 O₂
### Activity B: Cellular Respiration
1. **Predict: Of the molecules shown on the MOLECULES pane, which do you think are inputs (ingredients) in cellular respiration? Which do you think are outputs?**
- **Inputs:** Glucose (C₆H₁₂O₆), oxygen (O₂)
- **Outputs:** Carbon dioxide (CO₂), water (H₂O), ATP (energy)
2. **Explore: Drag each molecule from the MOLECULES pane to the RESPIRATION pane. Which molecules are inputs in cellular respiration?**
- **Inputs in Cellular Respiration:** Glucose (C₆H₁₂O₆) and oxygen (O₂)
3. **Observe: Click Next. What happens in the cytoplasm? This process is called glycolysis. Two pyruvate (C₃H₃O₃⁻) molecules are produced in glycolysis. The released energy is used to form a net of two ATP (adenosine triphosphate) molecules. Energy is later released when ATP molecules are broken down.**
- **In the cytoplasm, glycolysis occurs, producing pyruvate and releasing energy used to form ATP.**
4. **Observe: Click Next. What happens now?**
- **After glycolysis, the pyruvate molecules enter the mitochondria for further processing, where the aerobic phase occurs.**
5. **Observe: Click Next. What happens in the mitochondrion? Energy from the mitochondrion is also stored in the form of ATP. A net of 30 ATP molecules are produced for every two molecules of pyruvate.**
- **In the mitochondrion, the Krebs cycle and electron transport chain occur, producing a significant amount of ATP through aerobic respiration.**
6. **Analyze: Cellular respiration involves two phases. The anaerobic phase does not involve oxygen, while the aerobic phase does. Where does each phase take place?**
- **Anaerobic Phase:** Cytoplasm (glycolysis)
- **Aerobic Phase:** Mitochondria (Krebs cycle and electron transport chain)