Photosynthesis
STSE Applications
Photosynthetic Animals
It is no secret that most students have no interest in plants. Most students, however, love animals. Photosynthesis can be related to current biological research into photosynthetic animals. One interesting "photosynthetic" animal is found right here in Ontario, the Spotted Salamander (Ambystoma maculatum)
![Picture](/uploads/6/0/8/4/60840857/1386882.png?250)
This salamander is partially photosynthetic meaning they have a symbiotic relationship with algae cells. This animal is the first vertebrate that has been discovered to have a relationship with a photosynthetic organism. A study in 2010 found that these algae cells are not only found on the salamander, but have actually been found inside the animals embryos. These photosynthetic organisms could be providing the embryos with photosynthetic products including oxygen.
Read more here: http://www.nature.com/news/2010/100730/full/news.2010.384.html
Read more here: http://www.nature.com/news/2010/100730/full/news.2010.384.html
Kearney et al (2011)
SciShow (2011)
Using Plants to "Clean" the Air
It isn't a surprise that many of our cities are facing severe air pollution. In cities like Los Angeles, oxygen levels can drop as low as 15% (compared to 45% available outside of cities). When you consider the products of photosynthesis-- plants might be the answer to counter this problem. A study conducted by NASA found that plants don't only boost oxygen levels in the air, but also remove many harmful toxins. Scientists have discovered that low oxygen levels might have led to mass extinctions in the past (read more here: http://solarsystem.nasa.gov/news/2003/10/31/low-oxygen-and-mass-extinctions).
This is a great area of study that could be discussed with students and to get them thinking how strong of an effect photosynthesis has on our every day life. Could plants be a solution to our current air pollution problems?
How to Grow Fresh Air: Kamal Meattle talks about how this knowledge of photosynthesis could help reduce air pollution.
This is a great area of study that could be discussed with students and to get them thinking how strong of an effect photosynthesis has on our every day life. Could plants be a solution to our current air pollution problems?
How to Grow Fresh Air: Kamal Meattle talks about how this knowledge of photosynthesis could help reduce air pollution.
NASA (2003)
Seattle (2009)
Seattle (2009)
Artificial Photosynthesis
We all know that solar panels are a new way of harnessing energy from the light and converting it to electrical energy used to power our everyday lives. However, this type of energy cannot be transported far distances across an electrical grid.
Mimicking photosynthesis could be the answer to solving this transportation problem in providing a reliable way to harness, collect, and store the energy from the Sun whenever and wherever it's needed.
Mimicking photosynthesis could be the answer to solving this transportation problem in providing a reliable way to harness, collect, and store the energy from the Sun whenever and wherever it's needed.
A process that is currently being explored to produce energy is the process of photocatalytic water splitting under solar light.This area of research is currently a global effort and has been discussed at global conferences on renewable energy.
More on this topic can be read here: http://www.osa-opn.org/home/articles/volume_24/february_2013/features/artificial_photosynthesis_saving_solar_energy_for/
More on the global conference on artificial photosynthesis can be read here: https://law.anu.edu.au/conferences/artificial-photosynthesis
More on this topic can be read here: http://www.osa-opn.org/home/articles/volume_24/february_2013/features/artificial_photosynthesis_saving_solar_energy_for/
More on the global conference on artificial photosynthesis can be read here: https://law.anu.edu.au/conferences/artificial-photosynthesis