Unit 3 Reflection

Throughout Unit 3, I came to realize how the Unit emphasizes the main functions of the cell, and how it came to be. As I progressed through this unit, I have acknowledged that the process of Photosynthesis and Cellular Respiration bothered me at first, but have eventually become more clear with repeated study and collaboration with my group. From this, most of this content is easy to understand for me, and I have not struggled with too many topics, excluding Photosynthesis and Cellular respiration.

As I understood most content from this unit, I have learned that cells contain multiple organelles, which all help the cell to function in some way, varying from membranes which filter things in and out of the cell, to mitochondria, which provide energy for the cell. I have also learned that cells have evolved from cyanobacteria, becoming heterotrophs which ate cyanobacteria, eventually folding in membranes to allow symbiosis between the bacteria, which made energy for the heterotroph, in order to recieve protection from the heterotroph. Autotrophs, however, make their own energy.

From this Unit, I am inclined to learn about the Calvin cycle and the Citric Acid Cycle, as they were not explained in depth in class and during the vodcasts. This is only explained in context of its role in photosynthesis and cellular respiration. Other from this, I have little questions on the unit and have understood most of the content in the unit.

Photolab: Virtual Lab 2

At the beginning of the virtual lab, we asked the question “How does Carbon Dioxide affect the speed of photosynthesis?” Through evidence, we found that a higher concentration of Carbon Dioxide increases the speed of photosynthesis. This is shown in the data table, indicating that a high concentration of Carbon Dioxide results in an increase of 11 Bubbles, with the low concentration producing 18 Bubbles, while the high concentration resulted in 29 Bubbles. This data supports our claim because the bubbles are filled with oxygen a waste product of photosynthesis, which indicates that the reaction took place.

This lab was done to explain to us how photosynthesis works, and what is used in photosynthesis, as well as what is produced with photosynthesis. From this lab, I learned that Carbon Dioxide is needed for photosynthesis, even speeding up the process, which helps me understand the concept of photosynthesis in general. Based on my experience from this lab, I can now utilize what I have learned to start an indoor garden, using more Carbon Dioxide in an enclosed space.

Amount of CO2	Bubbles Produced (In 30 seconds)
High Amount of CO2:	29 Bubbles
Low Amount of CO2:	18 Bubbles

Egg Diffusion Lab Analysis: 10.12.2016

      Our group asked the question "How and why does a cell's internal environment change, as its external environment changes?" Through our data, we found that a cell's environment changes because of osmosis, depending on what environment it is currently in. When taking the Egg Diffusion lab, our group left one egg in de-ionized H20, while the group we teamed up with left an egg in sugar water, measuring their circumference and mass beforehand. After one full day, our groups checked on our eggs, measuring their circumference and mass once again. With the ending of our experiment, our groups found that the egg in sugar water shrank, while the egg in de-ionized water grew, its mass shrinking -0.44%, while its circumference grew 7.78%. This came to be because of osmotic pressure, where a cell will adjust to its environment by giving up or absorbing water in order to balance out the solute.

      This change was caused from osmosis, a passive diffusion where the solvent (water) either diffuses into or out of the cell membrane in order to balance the concentration ratio of water to sugar, the solvent. This happens as the solute cannot diffuse across the cell membrane. In the case of the sugar water egg, the solvent was greater outside of the egg, and it shrank in order to balance out the ratio, making a change from low concentration to high concentration. In turn, this put the sugar water egg in a hypertonic environment, where there is more solute outside the cell.


      This lab can be related to many real life events, one of them being how your skin "prunes" up after you are in the pool for an extended period of time. Osmotic pressure makes your skin bloat up as water seeps in, making your skin look "pruned".

      From this experiment, I have better learned about the principles of osmosis, and the effects of osmotic pressure. In fact, I can make my own experiment from this, further testing this principle by putting an object relative to the egg used in the previous lab, draining its solvent in a hypertonic environment, then putting it in a hypotonic environment full of solvent, and seeing if the object grows once again.

Egg Macromolecules Lab Analysis: 10.10.2016

      In the following lab, our group asked the following question, "Can macromolecules be identified in a cell?" With our group's evidence, we discovered that macromolecules can be identified in cells. In fact, our group decided with our information that proteins are found in almost parts of the cell, shown through the identifier sodium hydroxide, which turns liquid from blue to purple on contact if they contain proteins.
      For example, proteins are found in the cell's cytoplasm. This is shown in the protein data table, where the egg example substance scored a 9 out of 10, turning light purple on contact with its identifier. This is because proteins are found in organelles, which need them in order to function.
      Our group also found that proteins are found in the nucleus of cells. This is shown in the data table for protein identification, where the egg yolk example for the nucleus scored an 8 out of 10 on contact with the identifier, turning dark purple. This may be because proteins transport RNA out of the nucleus from DNA in order to give the rest of the cell commands.
      Proteins are found in the cell membrane as well as the nucleus and the cytoplasm. This is shown in the data table, where the egg membrane example is given a score of 5 out of 10, turning indigo on contact. This is because protein channels are scattered across the cell membrane, which help transport molecules into the cell.

      This lab was done to give us a better understanding of what macromolecules are located in parts of the cell. However, some errors could have happened in the lab which could have offset the results. For example, some did not stir all of the contents of the identifier and the egg substance together, which could have lightened the color of the final substance. This is shown in the monosaccharides test, where heat is used to solidify some of the unmixed substances, and can be fixed if shown in the instructions to mix the identifier with the egg substance. Another error is shown when groups take the liquid substance in the egg as the egg white instead of the actual thicker egg white. This can completely alter the data shown, and can also be minimized with proper detailed instructions. This lab reminded me of a microscope looking at ants, inspecting every detail of it. This lab could be used to figure out what specific types of macromolecules live in other specific types of the cell.