A Colorful Picnic with Photosynthetic Pathways and RuBisCO on the Menu

By David J. Grise

Abstract

In this interrupted case study developed for use in a flipped classroom, students read about a picnic that takes place in autumn during the peak of fall color and along the way learn about light absorption by photosynthetic pigments, why leaves turn color in the fall, atmospheric CO2 concentrations and their effect on photosynthesis, and the C3, C4, and CAM photosynthetic pathways. The case is designed to provide introductory biology students with a basic understanding of photosynthetic pathways and how environmental factors affect plants using these pathways. The activity could also be used in an advanced high school biology course covering photosynthesis. The case includes several short videos that students watch as homework before coming to class so that they are prepared to work together in class in small groups to answer the case questions.

Download Case

Date Posted

08/24/2017

Overview

Objectives

Understand why plant leaves appear to be green.
Know the origin of the basic colors in fall foliage and how weather conditions affect fall colors.
Understand how CO2 concentration and elevated temperature affect photosynthetic rate.
Predict the conditions that allow plants using the C4 photosynthetic pathway to have an advantage over plants using the C3 photosynthetic pathway.
Know that the CAM photosynthetic pathway conserves water and allows plants to tolerate arid conditions.

Keywords

photosynthetic pathways; photosynthetic pigments; atmospheric CO2 concentrations; C3; C4; CAM; rubisco; chlorophyll

Subject Headings

Agriculture

Biology (General)

Botany / Plant Science

EDUCATIONAL LEVEL

High school, Undergraduate lower division

FORMAT

PDF

TOPICAL AREAS

N/A

LANGUAGE

English

TYPE/METHODS

Flipped, Interrupted

Teaching Notes & Answer Key

Teaching Notes

Case teaching notes are protected and access to them is limited to paid subscribed instructors. To become a paid subscriber, purchase a subscription here.

Teaching notes are intended to help teachers select and adopt a case. They typically include a summary of the case, teaching objectives, information about the intended audience, details about how the case may be taught, and a list of references and resources.

Download Notes

Answer Key

Answer Keys are protected and access to them is limited to paid subscribed instructors. To become a paid subscriber, purchase a subscription here.

Download Answer Key

Materials & Media

Supplemental Materials

Videos

Why Are Leaves Green? Part 1
Running time: 2:33. Produced by MinuteEarth.
Why Are Leaves Green? Part 2
These two videos (Part 1 and 2 above) discuss how differential light absorption by chlorophyll results in green leaves. Running time: 2:28 min. Produced by MinuteEarth, 2013.
Why Do Leaves Turn Color in the Fall?
This video discusses the different strategies that deciduous and evergreen trees use to deal with harsh winters, why green leaves turn different colors in the fall, and the factors involved in determining fall leaf colors. Running time: 2:42 min. Produced by Super Scienced, 2014.
C3 and C4 Growing Temperatures
This video discusses conditions favorable to plants using the C3 and C4 photosynthetic pathways. Running time: 2:21 min. Created by David J. Grisé for the National Center for Case Study Teaching in Science, 2015.