Teacher Guide: Cell Respiration stem case and Handbook Grade Level: 9th 12th Subjects

Teacher Guide: Cell Respiration STEM Case and Handbook


Grade Level: 9th - 12th
Subjects: Biology, Anatomy & Physiology, AP Biology
Versions: Biology and AP Biology
Time: Biology 40-50 mins; AP Biology 60-80 mins
STEM Role: Medical Toxicologist
Preview Video: Cell Respiration Preview Video


Introduction: A CIA agent has been poisoned by a criminal gang and has been rescued by Navy SEALs. As a Medical Toxicologist, students learn the concepts of cell respiration and perform an investigation to identify which poison has been used and apply the correct antidote to save the agent.

Learning Objectives: STEM Cases are designed to help students learn the core concepts and practice critical thinking skills (data analysis, data Interpretation, hypothesis and reasoning, predictions and communicating findings). Students are assessed on each of these and their progress can be monitored in real time by teachers. The following concepts are addressed in the Cell Respiration STEM Case:

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  Chemical energy (food, glucose, ATP); mitochondria, cell respiration inputs and outputs
  
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  Brief overviews of glycolysis, krebs cycle, electron transport chain, ATP synthase
  
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  Biology Version Only: Review of effects of inhibiting the steps of cell respiration on the concentrations of pyruvate, NADH and H⁺ (to aid students in solving the case)
  
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  Biology Handbook Only: Balancing the equation for inputs and outputs of cell respiration, connecting cell respiration and photosynthesis
  
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  AP Version Only: Deeper explorations of glycolysis (energy investment and pay off), krebs cycle (NADH and FADH₂), electron transport chain (complexes I - IV, electron carriers), ATP synthase (proton gradient), balancing the equation for inputs and outputs of cell respiration, connecting cell respiration and photosynthesis, free energy and entropy