Unit 3 Reflection

   This unit was about different types of cells and their functions, as well as looking at the cell at both a microscopic and global level. We learned about the two different types of cells, eukaryotes(with a nucleus) and prokaryotes(without a nucleus). We learned about the roles and functions about different organelles in the cell.We also talked about protists, plant cells, and animal cells, as well as their similarities and differences.
    My strengths were mostly based on learning the different types of organelles, although I struggled to retain the information about their individual functions. We also learned about the unique characteristics of membranes, and how they are semi-permiable (bouncers), as well as the methods of transport(passive, active, and (facilitated) diffusion).
  An important part of the unit was about diffusion, passive movement across a concentration gradient to reach equilibrium, with multiple molecules moving across the membrane. Osmosis is diffusion across a semipermeable membrane, where the cell shrinks if the solvent is lost and the cell grows if the solvent is gained.
   Water balance was also discussed, focusing mainly on tonicity, the ability of a surrounding solute to cause a cell to gain/lose water through hypertonicity and hypotonicity. Also, cell evolution was discussed as well as the principals of endocytosis(material is taken into pockets/in-folds), exocytosis(material is released from vacuole from fusion with membrane) , phagocytosis(cell eating, packages food in vacuole), and pinocytosis(takes in liquid, pinches off cell).
  Light waves were also talked about in the vodcast, as well as the visible light spectrum. We learned that we recognize colors by interpreting the color that is reflected and not absorbed. Also how shorter wavelengths have higher energy and longer wave lengths have lower energy, and colors like red, violet, and blue(with short wavelengths and high energy) are best for growing plants under light, while colors like yellow and green(long wavelengths with low energy) are not optimal conditions for maximized plant growth.
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   Lastly, cellular respiration and photosynthesis were discussed. Photosynthesis occurs in the chloroplasts of autotrophs, while cellular respiration occurs in the mitochondrion of autotrophs and heterotrophs.The products of photosynthesis are the same as the reactants of cellular respiration(and vice versa), the only difference is that the chemical energy converted in photosynthesis is light energy and in cellular respiration heat energy is used from ATP. Photosynthesis occurs when light is absorbed in the chloroplasts, then the Calvin Cycle rotates 6 times in the thylakoid to produce one glucose molecule.
   I knew a lot about the basics of photosynthesis, and I vaguely understood cellular respiration up until this point. Once I saw them compared side by side, everything made sense and all the pieces seemed to fit together. I understood the concept much better, but it still took some effort to really learn to little details that were also very important.
   In cellular respiration(AKA aerobic respiration because it requires oxygen), Glycolysis in the cytoplasm begins the cycle to create 2 ATP, then the Krebs Cycle(AKA Citric Acid Cycle) creates another two and uses oxygen to produce energy carrying  molecules(NADH and FADH2) and carbon dioxide. Then the electron transport chain, which is located in the inner membrane of the mitochondria creates 32 ATP. After cellular respiration, where glucose and oxygen are put in, 36 ATP, 6 carbon dioxide molecules and 6 water molecules are produced.
   Overall, I think I was able to remember the outline of the events in this unit, while having a hard time recalling the details, but I think doing the CFU's really helped reinforce that practice and repetition for studying. A lot of big topics were covered, but now I feel like I have a really good foundation and understanding for what to expect later on. We observed things from different angles which I really think helped me broaden my understanding of the lessons, as it appealed to all different learning styles.