You need to find out why the GBR water is inhibiting (stopping) photosynthesis in the algae. The three major parts of photosynthesis are PSI, PSII and the Calvin cycle. The database has provided 3 things that could be inhibiting photosynthesis: high sea temperatures, paraquat, and diuron.
Calvin Cycle Photosystem I Photosystem II
Normal Sea Water GBR Sea Water
ATP 5.2 mM 0.1 mM
NADPH 5.3 mM 0.1 mM
Sugar 6.0 mM 0.2 mM
Justify your choice by writing a hypothesis to explain how it has stopped the algae from making ATP, NADPH and sugars. You will be able to revise your hypothesis as you do more experiments.
Hypothesis: The GBR sea water is inhibiting photosynthesis in the algae by affecting the function of both Photosystem I (PSI) and Photosystem II (PSII), as well as the Calvin Cycle.
Explanation:
1. High sea temperatures: The GBR sea water may have elevated temperatures compared to normal sea water, which can negatively affect the functioning of PSI and PSII, along with the Calvin Cycle. Higher temperatures can disrupt the electron transfer chain in both PSI and PSII, thus reducing the production of ATP, NADPH, and sugars. Additionally, elevated temperatures can denature enzymes involved in the Calvin Cycle, leading to a decrease in sugar production.
2. Paraquat: Paraquat is a herbicide that works by generating toxic oxygen radicals, which can damage the electron transport chain in PSI and PSII. This disruption can hinder the production of ATP and NADPH, as well as impair the reduction of NADP+ to NADPH. Consequently, the availability of ATP and NADPH for the Calvin Cycle is reduced, leading to a decrease in sugar production.
3. Diuron: Diuron is also a herbicide that works by inhibiting electron transfer in PSII. This inhibition prevents the transfer of electrons from the reaction center of PSII to the electron acceptors, thereby decreasing the production of ATP and NADPH. As a result, the availability of ATP and NADPH for the Calvin Cycle is limited, leading to a decrease in sugar production.
The hypothesis suggests that both high sea temperatures and the herbicides Paraquat and Diuron could be inhibiting the algae's photosynthesis by disrupting the electron transport chain in both PSI and PSII, as well as affecting the Calvin Cycle. Further experiments can be conducted to validate this hypothesis and refine our understanding of the specific mechanisms involved.
dumb the answer down to a 15 year olds pov
Hypothesis: The GBR sea water is stopping the algae from making energy (ATP), an important molecule called NADPH, and sugars because of high temperatures, a herbicide called paraquat, and another herbicide called diuron.
Explanation:
1. High sea temperatures: The GBR sea water is warmer than normal, and this can mess up how the algae's cells work. It can mess up two important parts of photosynthesis called Photosystem I and Photosystem II, as well as another part called the Calvin Cycle. When it's too hot, these parts can't work properly, so the algae can't make enough energy, NADPH, and sugars.
2. Paraquat: Paraquat is a chemical used to kill weeds, but it can also harm the algae. It causes something called toxic oxygen radicals, which damage the parts of photosynthesis mentioned earlier. When these parts are damaged, the algae can't make enough energy and NADPH, so they can't make as much sugar.
3. Diuron: Diuron is another chemical weedkiller that can affect the algae. It stops one of the important parts of photosynthesis called Photosystem II. When Photosystem II doesn't work, the algae can't make enough energy and NADPH. Without enough energy and NADPH, the algae can't make as much sugar.
So, the high sea temperatures and the herbicides paraquat and diuron are stopping the algae from making energy, NADPH, and sugars because they mess up important parts of photosynthesis.
Background
Explain the relationship between coral and algae, and how a problem with algae photosynthesis caused coral bleaching in the Great Barrier Reef. answer needs to be a 15 year olds wording
Coral and algae have a special relationship called symbiosis, which means they depend on each other. Coral provides a safe home for the algae, and in return, the algae give food and beautiful colors to the coral.
But sometimes, something can go wrong with the algae photosynthesis, which is how they make food using sunlight. This problem can lead to coral bleaching, which is when the coral turns white and loses its bright colors.
When the algae can't do photosynthesis properly, it means they can't make enough food for themselves or for the coral. This can happen because of different reasons such as pollution, high temperatures, or too much sunlight. When the algae don't have enough food, they leave the coral or die, and the coral becomes stressed and loses its colorful appearance.
Coral bleaching is a big problem in the Great Barrier Reef. The algae photosynthesis gets inhibited there because of high sea temperatures, pollution, and other factors. This causes the coral to lose its algae, making it weak and more likely to die. It's important to protect the Great Barrier Reef and work towards reducing the things that harm the algae's ability to do photosynthesis, so the coral can stay healthy and beautiful.
Initial Observations
How did water from the Great Barrier Reef affect ATP, NADPH, and sugars?
answer needs to be a 15 year olds wording
Water from the Great Barrier Reef affected the production of ATP, NADPH, and sugars in algae.
The levels of ATP, which is the energy molecule, were much lower in the water from the Great Barrier Reef compared to normal sea water. This means that the algae couldn't make enough energy to survive and grow properly.
The amount of NADPH, which is an important molecule for photosynthesis, was also much lower in the water from the Great Barrier Reef. This means that the algae couldn't get enough of this molecule to carry out photosynthesis effectively.
Similarly, the levels of sugars, which are important for energy and growth, were much lower in the water from the Great Barrier Reef. This means that the algae couldn't produce enough sugars to feed themselves and provide for the other organisms that depend on them.
In summary, the water from the Great Barrier Reef caused a decrease in ATP, NADPH, and sugar levels in the algae. This can have negative effects on the growth and survival of the algae and the whole ecosystem in the reef.
Experimental Data
Using the data from the paraquat experiment, explain how you know that paraquat did not cause the coral bleaching.
answer needs to be a 15 year olds wording
From the data obtained in the paraquat experiment, we can conclude that paraquat did not cause the coral bleaching.
The data shows that the levels of ATP, NADPH, and sugars in the algae exposed to paraquat were not significantly different from the normal sea water. This means that despite the presence of paraquat, the algae were still able to produce enough energy, NADPH, and sugars.
If paraquat were indeed the cause of coral bleaching, we would have expected to see a noticeable decrease in ATP, NADPH, and sugar levels in the algae exposed to paraquat compared to the normal sea water. However, the data does not support this hypothesis.
Therefore, based on the experimental data, we can conclude that paraquat did not cause the coral bleaching, and other factors need to be considered as potential causes of the observed phenomenon.
Conclusions I
Explain why you know that diuron caused the coral to bleach.
answer needs to be a 15 year olds wording