Unit Overview

Content Area: Biology

Unit Title: Energy Transformation
Target Course/Grade Level: Biology/11-12
Unit Summary
Students will be able to describe the role of plastids and mitochondria in the transformation of energy
Unit Rationale: It is important that students understand how humans, animals and plants are able to
provide energy for themselves with the food they eat, and in the case of plants, with the carbon dioxide and
water they take in from the earth.

Learning Targets
Standards: PA Common Core Describe the role of mitochondria in energy transformation; describe the
role of plastids (chloroplasts) in energy transformation
Unit Essential Questions
What is the fundamental role of chloroplasts
in photosynthesis?
What is the fundamental role of the
mitochondria in cellular respiration?
What are the differences between
photosynthesis and cellular respiration? Why
are both processes important?

Unit Enduring Understandings

Chloroplasts are the site of photosynthesis and
they are excited by light energy. Through a
series of steps, light energy is transformed into
chemical energy that plants can use
Mitochondria are the site of cellular
respiration. Depending on whether or not
oxygen is present, the outcome can be different
In essence, cellular respiration and
photosynthesis are inverse processes of one
another

Unit Learning Targets

Students will ...
Understand the fundamental roles of chloroplasts and mitochondria in energy transformation
Be able to compare and contrast the processes of cellular respiration and photosynthesis

Evidence of Learning
Summative Assessment: Unit Test after about 12-14 days of instruction
Formative Assessments
Light Dependent Reaction Application
Activities

Cellular Respiration Application Activity

Reading Checks
Photosynthesis and Respiration Application

Calvin Cycle Memes

Lesson Plans
Lesson
Photosynthesis
Cellular Respiration
Photosynthesis + Cellular Respiration

Timeframe
5 days
5 days
3 days