Below are common misconceptions our students can have when working with photosynthesis. Many of the misconceptions are the results of how they were taught photosynthesis in previous grades. Regardless of why they have formed these misconceptions, it is our role as a teacher to help students reverse these error in thinking!
MisconceptionGlucose is the only possible carbohydrate produced by photosynthesis
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In actuality...Many carbohydrates are produced by plants and other autotrophs
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StrategiesInstead of using the common equation for synthesis where glucose is the product, replace C6H12O6 with (CH2O)n
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Photosynthesis operates separately and is not related to cellular respiration
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The two processes are interconnected: the carbohydrate molecules of photosynthesis is used to feed into the cellular respiration cycles to harvest for energy. In addition, ATPs used in photosynthesis are the product of cellular metabolism!
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Teach students about the connections between photosynthesis and metabolism
Ask students to identify common molecules invovled in photosynthesis and cellular respiration. Consider teaching photosynthesis before cellular respiration. |
Trees, plants, algaes, and other autotrophs are passive to environmental conditions
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All autotrophs have the ability to regulate the intake and outtake of valuable resources from the environment. For example, leaves have stomata that open and close depending on the temperature of the day, and the availability of water and carbon dioxide
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Prepare a class where students are able to witness the stomata of a leaf under a microscope
Conduct experiments where students control the plant's environment and record how the plants responded to these changes |
Photosynthesis is the only major biochemical reaction that occurs in plants
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Cellular respiration is common in all higher level organism. Plants rely on the same method animals use to harvest energies from the very carbohydrate they produce!
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Ask students to think about what plants must do now that they have stored the energy they need in the bonds of carbohydrates. Would you predict that they rely on the same methods we use to harvest energy from these bonds?
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