Photosynthesis, Respiration, and Plant Chemistry

At Cogitania’s Saturday Botany workshop fourth graders had their first introduction to plant chemistry (phytochemistry) as it relates to photosynthesis and respiration.

The students learned about atoms, molecules, and cells and the chemical equation for photosynthesis (6CO2 + 6H2O —> C6H12O6 + 6O2) which uses light energy to convert carbon dioxide into a carbohydrate (glucose). They also learned about plant respiration; that plants release C02 when light is not available.

For the hands-on activity each student learned how to make slides to view plant cells. We created a slide of onion epidermis cells and slide of leaf cells and chloroplasts. We viewed these cells under the microscope and observed the chloroplasts in the leaves that contain chlorophyll and in which photosynthesis takes place.

On June 17, the students will learn about ecosystems, the water cycle, and make terrariums to take home.

Instructor: Nathan Emerson