PARENT SESSION
Poster Session 16: Ecology Education
Tuesday, August 9, 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM, Exhibit Hall 220 A-E, Level 2, Palais des congrès de Montréal

Student-led investigative laboratories designed to examine the acclimation of photosynthesis and energy dissipation.

Logan, Barry¹, Reblin, Jaret¹, ¹ Biology Department, Brunswick, Maine, USA

ABSTRACT- The photosynthetic apparatus acclimates to the growth environment to optimize carbon assimilation. However, most plants absorb more light than they can process via the Calvin cycle (i.e. excess light). Since excess light can cause cellular damage, plants have evolved a mechanism referred to as energy dissipation, which safely converts absorbed light energy to heat. Over multiple time-scales (minutes to seasons) plants adjust their carotenoid and chlorophyll composition in response to levels of excess light absorption. Here we describe student-led investigative laboratories designed to examine the acclimation of both photosynthesis and energy dissipation to the growth light environment. In preliminary laboratories we introduce students to the measurement of photosynthetic oxygen evolution and leaf pigment analysis (via HPLC), while in lecture we discuss the physiological ecology of photosynthesis and energy dissipation. In small groups, students then propose research questions, which they examine over the next several weeks and present as journal-style manuscripts. These laboratories enhance student's understanding of the effect of environmental stress on plant bioenergetics. Furthermore, they foster a greater appreciation for research and enhance engagement because students are exploring their own experimental questions. (Course materials and example manuscripts will be available on CD.)

Key words: Course laboratories, Acclimation, Photosynthesis, HPLC