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Slug Power

Image of a sea slug from the activity

Topic

  • Anatomy & Physiology
  • Zoology
  • Evolution
  • Natural Selection

Resource Type

  • Activities
  • Phenomenal Images

Level

High School — GeneralHigh School — AP/IB
Saved By
32 Users
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View in Spanish

Description

This activity explores images of a sea slug and chloroplasts, which serve as phenomena for learning about photosynthesis.

The sea slug Elysia crispata feeds on green algae and can survive for more than a month without eating. This is because the slug stores and uses the algae’s chloroplasts, which capture energy from sunlight and convert it to chemical energy through photosynthesis. These images include a photograph of an E. crispata sea slug and a micrograph of liverwort (Marchantia polymorpha) plant cells packed with chloroplasts (colored yellow).

The “Educator Materials” document includes background information and implementation suggestions for using the images as phenomena. The “Student Handout” includes the images and background information.

The “Resource Google Folder” link directs to a Google Drive folder of resource documents in the Google Docs format. Not all downloadable documents for the resource may be available in this format. The Google Drive folder is set as “View Only”; to save a copy of a document in this folder to your Google Drive, open that document, then select File → “Make a copy.” These documents can be copied, modified, and distributed online following the Terms of Use listed in the “Details” section below, including crediting BioInteractive.

“Slug Power/Sea Slug” image by Patrick J. Krug, Cal State University

“Solar Fix/Chloroplast” image by Fernan Federici, Universidad Católica de Chile

Student Learning Targets

  • ​​​​Examine images of phenomena, make observations, and ask questions.
  • Collaborate with peers on ideas, ask questions that require higher levels of reasoning, and develop deeper understanding of concepts.
  • Describe the process of photosynthesis.

Estimated Time

Within one 50-minute class period.

Key Terms

algae, chloroplast, endosymbiosis, energy, kleptoplasty, marine biology, photosynthesis, plant

Terms of Use

Please see the Terms of Use for information on how this resource can be used.

Accessibility Level (WCAG compliance)

PDF files meet criteria. Spanish files meet criteria.

Version History

Date Published 02.22.16
Date Updated 09.03.20

NGSS (2013)

HS-LS1-5; SEP1

AP Biology (2019)

ENE-1.I, ENE-1.J, SYI-1.D, SYI-1.F; SP3

IB Biology (2016)

2.9, 4.2, 8.3

IB Environmental Systems and Societies (2017)

2.2

Common Core (2010)

ELA.WHST.9-12.9

Vision and Change (2009)

CC4; DP1

Materials

Download Resource Google Folder (link)
Download Slug Power image (JPG) 2 MB
Download Solar Fix image (JPG) 1 MB
Download Educator Materials (PDF) 331 KB
Download Student Handout (PDF) 674 KB
Download Educator Materials - Español (PDF) 312 KB
Download Student Handout - Español (PDF) 2 MB

Related Science News

Heads up: Some sea slugs grow new bodies after decapitation

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