Janice A. Coonrod

Jacqueline Barber

Colin Hocking

These extensive activities explore many aspects of acid rain and its effects on our environment. Students learn about acids, the pH scale, make "flake lakes", determine how the pH of the lakes changes after an acid rainstorm, present a play about the effects on aquatic life, and hold a town meeting to discuss solutions.

Teacher's Guide

Acid Rain

There is very little in this eleventh volume of Topics in Photosynthesis which could have been written when the first volume was published fifteen years ago. Advances over the last decade have been spectacular, most particularly in our understanding of the photosystems that is the subject of this volume. After a comparative introducution of bacterial and plant photosystems, the book begins with a consideration of what is theoretically possible in energy conversion. This is followed by light harvesting in photosystems II, followed by its molecular biology, protein engineering, thermoluminescence, photoinhibition, the effect of herbicides and heat shock, and, most important function of all and one about which so little is yet understood at the molecular level, the process by which it evolves oxygen. The last three chapters deal with the equivalent processes of photosystem I. The whole volume tells the story of a natural system of incredible ingenuity and complexity, but which as the chapters unfold, is seen to be within our grasp and eventual ability to comprehend.

Structure, Function, and Molecular Biology

The Photosystems

Kimi Hosoume

"The guide includes concise and interesting biological information on a number of possible small organisms (sow bugs, isopods, earthworms, snails...) that can become terrarium inhabitants. Students observe these and other terrarium components and record changes over time. There are detailed instructions on setting up and maintaining the terrariums. Special features include an optional soil-profile test for older students, and making "decomposition bags" to learn more about the natural life cycle."

Terrarium Habitats

Cary Ivan Sneider

Contains activities to test the absorbency and wet strength of four brands of paper towels. Students consider the results of the tests plus the unit cost of each brand to determine a "best buy." Provides early experiences in controlled experimentation and consumer awareness.

Jacqueline Barber

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