Matter and Energy in Organisms and Ecosystems Activities
Investigate energy flow and matter cycling through Caribbean ecosystems using advanced experimental techniques and ecosystem modeling.
Activity 1: Caribbean Plant Photosynthesis Efficiency Investigation
Compare photosynthetic efficiency across different Caribbean plant species and environmental conditions
105 minutes
Teams of 4
Photosynthesis analysis & energy conversion
Learning Objectives
- • Measure photosynthetic rates in Caribbean plant species
- • Analyze factors affecting photosynthetic efficiency
- • Investigate cellular respiration and energy release
- • Compare C3, C4, and CAM photosynthesis adaptations
- • Connect plant metabolism to ecosystem productivity
Laboratory Equipment
- • Aquatic plants (Elodea, Cabomba)
- • Light sources of varying intensities
- • Oxygen sensors and data loggers
- • pH indicators and bromothymol blue
- • Microscopes for cellular observation
- • Caribbean plant specimens (various types)
Experimental Protocol
1
Oxygen Production Measurement (40 minutes)
Quantify photosynthetic rates under different light conditions
2
Cellular Respiration Analysis (35 minutes)
Measure CO₂ production and oxygen consumption
3
Adaptation Comparison (30 minutes)
Compare metabolic strategies across plant types
Caribbean Plant Adaptations
- • C4 plants: Sugar cane, corn
- • CAM plants: Cacti, agave, pineapple
- • C3 plants: Most trees and shrubs
- • Aquatic adaptations: Mangroves
Advanced Photosynthesis Investigations
Light Spectrum Analysis
- • Test different wavelengths of light
- • Measure chlorophyll absorption spectra
- • Compare efficiency across light colors
- • Analyze underwater light penetration
Temperature Effects
- • Investigate optimal temperature ranges
- • Analyze heat stress responses
- • Compare tropical vs. temperate adaptations
- • Study climate change implications
CO₂ Concentration Studies
- • Test varying CO₂ concentrations
- • Analyze carbon fixation efficiency
- • Study ocean acidification effects
- • Predict future productivity changes
Cellular Respiration Experiments
Aerobic Respiration
- • Measure oxygen consumption rates
- • Calculate respiratory quotients
- • Analyze substrate utilization
- • Compare plant and animal respiration
Anaerobic Conditions
- • Study fermentation in plant tissues
- • Analyze alcohol and lactic acid production
- • Investigate flood tolerance mechanisms
- • Compare anaerobic efficiency
Activity 2: Caribbean Ecosystem Energy Flow and Nutrient Cycling
Model energy transfer and nutrient cycling in Caribbean marine and terrestrial ecosystems
95 minutes
Teams of 3
Energy pyramids & biogeochemical cycles
Learning Objectives
- • Construct energy pyramids for Caribbean ecosystems
- • Analyze nutrient cycling in tropical environments
- • Investigate decomposition rates and factors
- • Model carbon and nitrogen cycles
- • Evaluate human impacts on ecosystem processes
Ecosystem Modeling Materials
- • Ecosystem component cards and tokens
- • Energy transfer simulation materials
- • Decomposition chambers and organic matter
- • Nutrient testing kits (N, P, K)
- • pH meters and conductivity sensors
- • Microscopes for decomposer observation
Modeling Process
1
Energy Pyramid Construction (35 minutes)
Build quantitative energy flow models
2
Nutrient Cycling Investigation (40 minutes)
Track carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus cycles
3
Human Impact Assessment (20 minutes)
Analyze anthropogenic effects on ecosystem processes
Trophic Levels
- • Primary producers (1% efficiency)
- • Primary consumers (10% efficiency)
- • Secondary consumers (10% efficiency)
- • Tertiary consumers (10% efficiency)
Caribbean Ecosystem Comparisons
Coral Reef Ecosystem
- • High productivity in nutrient-poor waters
- • Tight nutrient recycling
- • Complex food webs
- • Calcium carbonate cycling
Rainforest Ecosystem
- • Rapid nutrient cycling
- • High biomass, low soil nutrients
- • Vertical stratification
- • Mycorrhizal associations
Mangrove Ecosystem
- • Salt tolerance adaptations
- • Detritus-based food webs
- • Nursery habitat functions
- • Carbon sequestration
Biogeochemical Cycle Investigations
Carbon Cycle
- • Photosynthesis and respiration balance
- • Ocean-atmosphere CO₂ exchange
- • Soil carbon storage
- • Human carbon emissions
Nitrogen Cycle
- • Nitrogen fixation by bacteria
- • Nitrification and denitrification
- • Agricultural fertilizer impacts
- • Eutrophication processes
Assessment Components (100 points total)
Energy Flow Model (40 pts)
- • Pyramid accuracy (20 pts)
- • Efficiency calculations (15 pts)
- • Energy transfer analysis (5 pts)
Nutrient Cycling (35 pts)
- • Cycle diagram completion (20 pts)
- • Process explanation (10 pts)
- • Rate measurements (5 pts)
Impact Analysis (25 pts)
- • Human impact identification (10 pts)
- • Mitigation strategies (10 pts)
- • Future predictions (5 pts)