Vocabulary: Define
Identifying Variables
Micro-algae
Miscellaneous
Coal power plants next to Micro-algae
100
Which of the following is the BEST definition of the word Variable?
The factor being tested in an experiment that is changed by the investigator to observe how it affects a dependent variable
Any factor in an experiment that can have more than one value
The factors in an experiment that remain the same
2. Any factor in an experiment that can have more than one value
100
What was Myspace?
A social networking site.
100
True or False: Microalgae are plant-like omnivores.
False: Microalgae are plantlike protists.
100
What did Rudolph Diesel use as fuel with his invention of the diesel engine?
Rudolph Deisel used peanut oil as fuel for his diesel engine.
100
True or False: There are no real benefits to creating an algae cultivation plant next to a coal-burning power plant.
False
200
Which of the following is the BEST definition of an independent variable?
The factor that is measured or observed during an experiment
The factor that is held constant throughout an investigation
The factor being tested in an experiment that is changed by the investigator to observe how it affects a dependent variable
3. The factor being tested in an experiment that is changed by the investigator to observe how it affects a dependent variable
200
What was the independent variable in our yeast bioreactor lab?
The independent variable in our yeast bioreactor lab was the kind of sugar used.
200
True or False: The experimental results from the ASP showed that microalgae would produce more oil using an acrylic light rod system than by using only natural sunlight.
True
200
True or False: If food crops were replaced with food crops, then there is a good chance there would be less food for people to eat. This could result in a food shortage.
True
200
Name 2 or more products that can be made using microalgae.
Biodiesel
Bioethanol
Food
Pharmaceutical & Cosmetic Additives
300
Which of the following is the BEST definition of a dependent variable?
The factor that is being manipulated and changed throughout an experiment
The factor that is measured or observed during an experiment
The first stage in the scientific inquiry process
2. The factor that is measured or observed during an experiment
300
What was the dependent variable in the microalgae study? Hint: This is what they are actually measuring at the end of their experiment.
The dependent variable in the microalgae study was the amount of oil produced by the microalgae.
300
Why did the scientists from the Aquatic Species Program (ASP) initially starve the microalgae of nitrogen?
They thought starving microalgae of nutrients could result in more oil production.
300
What is this?
A floppy disk
300
What kind of gas do microalgae release into the atmosphere?
Oxygen
400
Define constant.
Constants are factors in an experiment that remain the same
400
What is a burned CD?
To "burn" a CD simply means to copy or write information onto a compact disc, or CD.
400
What are one pro and one con of growing microalgae in outdoor ponds?
Answers will vary. Pros=it’s cheap to grow the algae in an open pond. The microalgae also have a larger space to grow. Cons=Native plants push out the high oil yield microalgae. Environmental factors like sunlight, nutrient levels, and temperature cannot be controlled
400
What are the yellow pages?
Telephone directories of businesses, organized by category rather than alphabetically by business name, in which advertising is sold.
400
What 3 elements do microalgae NEED in order to undergo photosynthesis?
Carbon Dioxide
Water
Sunlight
500
What is a bioreactor?
A closed container that holds living organisms.
500
When the ASP scientists tested how using acrylic light rods impacted the growth of microalgae, they needed to keep all other variables controlled. Name 2 or more factors that were held constant throughout the investigation.
The growing conditions of the algae (water temperature, water quality, amount of dissolved nutrients, starting microalgae population)
500
When the scientists at the ASP inserted acrylic light rods into bodies of microalgae, the microalgae grew more and produced more oil. Why did this work? Hint: Think about why plants like microalgae need light. Think about what process they go through when exposed to light.
The light rods provided light to the algae that were in the deep parts of the water where the natural sunlight could reach. Without light, algae cannot undergo photosynthesis. Since the light rods gave light to all the algae (not just the algae at the top of the water), more algae could grow overall. The more microalgae grew, the more oil they produced. The more oil they produced, the more oil could be made into biodiesel.
500
Why were the results of the yeast bioreactor lab inconclusive? Hint: Think about why we could not measure the amount of gas produced by the bioreactors. Something happened that prevented us from collecting this data.
The results of the yeast bioreactor lab were inconclusive. These results were inconclusive because the size of the bags used for the bioreactors was too small and several of the yeast bioreactor bags popped due to the build-up of pressure. Many of the bags ended up leaking their contents. The carbon dioxide gas could be heard escaping from these bags. The gas escaped from small holes in the corners of the bags. Because of these leaks and popped bioreactors, grade 7 scientists were unable to measure their dependent variable. The Science teacher, Ms. Walker recreated the experiment with larger bags, however, the seals on the larger bags were also weak. This resulted in leaky bioreactors too.
500
Explain how developing a microalgae cultivation center next to a coal-burning power plant is beneficial.
The carbon dioxide gas produced by the coal-burning power plant would be used to feed the microalgae instead of polluting the air. The carbon dioxide from the coal-burning power plant would travel inside a smokestack, where it would be funneled into a pond filled with microalgae. These microalgae would consume carbon dioxide and water to make carbohydrates (sugars) and release oxygen (they would undergo photosynthesis). The microalgae would be releasing oxygen back into the atmosphere, which would be a positive impact on the environment. The microalgae would then be harvested and used to make several different products. The harvested products include biodiesel, bioethanol, human and livestock food, and pharmaceutical and cosmetic additives.