Critique 1 and 2 on Selected Topics in Biological Science

KHASPER B. FLORES

Energy enters the living world in the form of radiant energy from the sun. Photosynthetic

organisms, like plants, provide the machinery for harnessing sunlight, the vehicle for bringing the

sun’s radiant energy into the biosphere, the gateway through which energy enters the living the

world. In the book “Functional Biology” Unit VI: Life Energy by Lilia M. Rabago, Ph.D., et al (2003),

authors discussed the role of solar energy in sustaining life on Earth as “Energy” is defined as the

capacity to do work. While this unit emphasizes one of the characteristics of living things about

metabolism, there are two important processes that specifically explain how energy flow in the living

world: Catabolism and Anabolism.

Rabago (2003) discussed two important laws about energy that are demonstrated in this

unit, namely: the law of conservation of energy which states that energy can neither be created nor

destroyed, it can only be converted from one form to another and the law of entropy which states

that energy is spontaneously converted from higher to lower quality, lost mostly in the form heat.

The author uses these laws as basis to explain anabolism as photosynthesis, and catabolism as

cellular respiration.

The author discussed the topic in a deductive modular approach; beginning from general

down to specific. The author divided the unit into three article modules; Module 22 discussed about

Photosynthesis as gateway of energy into the biosphere; Module 23 discussed about Cellular

Respiration which explains how energy is obtained from food; and Module 24 which will be discussed

in the separate critique talked about the pathway of energy in the biosphere.

Module 22, article about Photosynthesis (anabolism) aimed to help readers understand how

producers like plants use radiant energy to manufacture food and appreciate the importance of

photosynthesis as a gateway of energy into living world. Rabago (2003) emphasized discussion of

both plants morphology and physiology. Plant morphology is first discussed which included the
external and internal structure followed by the significant details and related processes. The

approach is author’s strength because the discussion has become seemingly comprehensive.

Photosynthesis as a general process is classified into two parts: Light dependent and light-

independent each divided into sub-processes, details through details. Self-check questions are also

important part of the module as it provided learners self-assessment and further understanding

about the concept. Figures are well-illustrated. They are used by the author to explain processes

visually and comprehensively.

Module 23, an article about cellular respiration (catabolism), here discussed how energy is

obtained from the food processed and produced through photosynthesis. Animals and other

heterotrophic organisms depend, directly and indirectly, on plants and other photosynthetic

organisms for food. The author basically reminded readers that all organisms need energy to

perform essential life processes, to move, grow, repair, and reproduce. The process is classified into

two types depending on the need for oxygen, namely: Aerobic respiration (oxygen-dependent) and

anaerobic respiration (oxygen-independent). The author did not forget to further divide each

classification into three phases, from breakdown of food, hydrogen transport, and energy transfer.

The deductive approach used by the author is an effective way to explain and discuss the process

along with the figures, illustrations, and self-check plus a “Did you Know?” helped the module

became more understanding and comprehensive.

The book with its articles is, in one way or another, a very useful tool for both beginning and

expert learners as Rabago (2003) never failed to discuss and review topics from the basic or general

knowledge to a more detailed concepts using efficient and effective approach and strategy.

Lilia M. Rabago, Ph.D., Crescensia C. Joaquin, Ph.D., Catherine Genevieve B.

Lagunzad, Ph. D. (2003). Functional Biology: Modular Approach. Vibal Publishing House,

Inc.