Cell Structure and Function Lemon Battery Lab
Overview
This is a hands on lab to model the energy in cells.
Learning Objectives
Students learn Cell Respiration is a process of extracting energy from glucose – and this happens in the Mitochondria. Students learn that biological materials hold chemical – electrical energy that can be harnessed in different ways.
Procedure
BellWork:
- Writing Prompt: Describe what a battery is and does.
- Draw a model of a battery that shows what happens when a battery is used.
- Where do we find batteries at home?
- Outside of Home?
- Do you know what materials are used in a battery?
- In our cells, which organelle functions like a battery?
- Discuss and Create a Model in front of the class based on student work.
Demonstration or Video:
- Lemon Battery Video / Demo and Instructions to students.
How to a multimeter Video
- Lemon Battery Hands on Activity
Post Lab Reflections:
- Can we harness energy from our food waste or use it for other means instead of letting it just rot and decompose in the dump?
Credits
This learning module was created by Erik P, a participant in Indiana University-Purdue University’s NSF-Funded “Nanotechnology Experiences for Students and Teachers (NEST)” Program (Award # 1513112).