Module 1 Intro

Module 1—Energy Flow and the Cycling of Matter

Lesson 1—Energy for Life

 

Get Focused

 

How does energy enter the biosphere? If you walk out your front door, part of the answer is right there in front of you. Look carefully, and notice all the producers around us. What is the importance of autotrophs (producers) and how do they contribute to our society?

 

 

In order to better understand how energy begins to flow through the biosphere and helps to maintain equilibrium, you will look at the role of autotrophs and heterotrophs.

 

Consider the following essential questions as you complete Lesson 1:

• What process is used for autotrophs to harness their own energy?

• How is energy distributed through the biosphere?

Module 1: Lesson 1 Assignment

 

Your teacher-marked Module 1: Lesson 1 Assignment requires you to submit a response to the following:

• Lesson 1 Lab: Photosynthesis: Part A
• your choice of two "Try This" questions

You can access your Module 1: Lesson 1 Assignment. Complete the assignment electronically and submit your completed assignments in the Assignment 1 Hand-in. Your answers can be saved on this document to your course folder.

 

The other questions in this lesson are not marked by the teacher; however, you should still answer these questions to assess your learning. The "Self-Check" and "Try This" questions are placed in this lesson to help you review important information and build key concepts that may be applied in future lessons.

 

After a discussion with your teacher, you must decide what to do with the questions that are not part of your assignment. For example, you may decide to submit to your teacher the responses to "Try This" questions that are not marked. You should record the answers to all questions in this lesson and place those answers in your course folder.

 

The choices you make about responding to the "Self-Check" and "Try This" questions will depend upon your learning style, your abilities in this subject, and your goals for the course.

 

There are several types of questions in this lesson. For the "Self-Check" questions you can respond mentally, write out your response, or record your answer in any other way that works for you. There are "Try This" questions that will often be a part of your lesson assessment. These may require more attention and detail.

 

You will also be asked to complete labs virtually, on your own, or in a science lab. Lab reports will usually be used as a lesson assessment as well. At times, you will be asked to engage in discussion topics with other students. All hand-in assignments will be clearly indicated at the end of Get Focused and throughout the lesson. Not all questions/activities will be submitted as Assessments, but they do reinforce the key concepts you must learn to be successful.

 

Think of these questions/activities as little bits of Lego. You need to have many pieces of Lego before you can build a useful object. By the end of each module, you should have collected and stored enough Lego bits of knowledge to feel comfortable building ideas with them. If you are a few pieces short, you need to revisit a lesson.

 

As you work through Lesson 1, you need to decide if you will make your own notes, bookmark web pages for reference, draw diagrams/charts, or use other means to remember. You are in charge of how you learn. You can save everything in your course folder or, if you prefer paper, then attach your assignments, notes, and musings in a real binder. Don’t forget that some items MUST be put in the course folder.

 

Biology 20 © 2008 Alberta Education