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Peer Review

Photosynthesis Video (Light Reactions)

Reviewed:
Jun 24, 2011 by Biology
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Ratings

Overall Rating: 4.8 stars
Content Quality: 4.5 stars
Effectiveness: 4.8 stars
Ease of Use: 4.8 stars
Overview:
As part of a larger website for Forest Biology and Dendrology, this site provides a great animation for the light reactions of photosynthesis. The animation begins with an accurate diagram of the cross-section of a leaf with accurate labeling of the cuticle, epidermis, palisade cells, xylem, phloem, guard cells, stoma and spongy mesophyll. The next step in the animation is a diagram of a simplified palisade cell with cell wall, nucleus, vacoule and chloroplast labeled. An accurate diagram of the chloroplast including inner and outer membrane, thylakoid, granum, and stroma lamella is provided. The thylakoid inner membrane is enlarged and a simplified diagram of the components of the light reaction diagramed. At this point, an audio description of the mechanism of photosynthesis commences. The process of the light reaction is arbitrarily divided into a five step process consisting of 1. excitation of the p680 molecule and splicing of the water molecule at photosystem II, 2. electron transport chain, 3. excitation of the p700 molecule at photosystem I, 4. reduction of NADP to NADPH, 5. Formation of ATP. Following the Five step description, the process can be viewed uninterrupted.
Type of Material:
This site can be used as an animation / simulation to show where the light reactions of photosynthesis take place and the individual steps of the process.
Recommended Uses:
This site should be used as a preliminary or supplimentary source of information in a lecture on plant metabolism. It could also be used independently by the students to enhance their understanding of lecture material.
Technical Requirements:
This site is in Shockwave format and require use of Adobe Flash Player or compatible platform.
Identify Major Learning Goals:
Learning goals include comprehension of the location of the light dependent reactions of photosynthesis and visualization the simplified components of the light dependent mechanism.
Target Student Population:
High school and undergraduate students, as well as professionals, can benefit from this site.
Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:
Instructors and students using this site should have some familiarity with botany, cell structure, and rudimentary chemistry.

Content Quality

Rating:
Strengths:
  • The animation does a good job of showing where the reactions of photosynthesis take place
  • The site provides accurate diagrams and labeling of the leaf in cross-section, the simplified palisade cell, and the chloroplast
  • Material is complete for a very specific aspect of plant metabolism
  • Appropriate vocabulary is used
  • The animation is interactive and engaging
  • Depiction of leaf and where reactions take place is clearly laid out
Concerns:
  • This is a very specific approach to one aspect of plant metabolism
  • The components of the light reaction are oversimplified and lack adequate labeling

Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool

Rating:
Strengths:
  • This is a great site to use for showing the light reactions of photosynthesis in the classroom
  • Complex aspects of photosynthesis are simplified to make concepts easy to understand
  • Promotes conceptual understanding of metabolic reactions
  • Material is presented in such a way that users can easily understand where reactions take place
  • Promotes a conceptual understanding of the location of the light reactions of photosynthesis
  • Assignments can be easily made from this learning material
Concerns:
  • Objectives are not clearly stated
  • Function of the light reactions in regard to the holistic system of photosynthesis would enhance the site
  • Not much flexibility in learning

Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty

Rating:
Strengths:
  • The information is well-organized but rigid in approach
  • Animation loads easily and runs smoothly
  • Moderate interactivity is permitted through use of a mouse
  • Presentation of the material is staggered to provide adequate time for intermittent teaching
  • No defects were detected in the way the animation is presented
  • Information is easy to understand
Concerns:
  • It is not clear how to stop animations once they begin
  • Speed within the pages is not under the control of the viewer
  • A little more interactivity would make this a more engaging animation
Other Issues and Comments:
This is a simple and straightforward animation that can be used to explain the light reactions in the classroom.
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