CONCEPT DEVELOPMENT #1
SOCRATIC DIALOGUE: WHAT IS LIFE?
After students present their results from Exploration 2, a class list should be generated of the parameters to measure life. A discussion can lead to the following:
Compare and contrast the results.Are the listed concepts sufficient to measure life?
Play Devil's Advocate and suggest possible non-living alternatives to students' suggestions.
Below are some examples:
Volcanism producing water verses photosynthesis producing waterCO2 being produced by heating of carbonates verses the CO2 produced by respiration
Methane being produced by nuclear reactions verses produced my bacteria
Fossilized evidence of bacteria verses crystalline inclusions in rock
The final class list should represent an overview of the important measurable parameters of life.
These parameters can all be derived from cells (if you believe in the cell theory).
With the results obtained above, ask students the origin of these processes or products.
"Where do these processes happen?"
Be as specific as possible.