Unit 3 Reflection

     In this unit, we learned about cells, how they work, photosynthesis, and cellular respiration.  The major theme I found in this unit was how cells evolve around different functions that keep us alive.  This unit's essential question was "How do macromolecules serve as building blocks of cells?"  In this unit, we first learned about the different parts of the cells and how they function.  On example would be how cells make proteins.  The cells first get the DNA from the nucleus.  Then the ribosomes make the proteins.  After that, the proteins are sent to the endoplasmic reticulum, or also known as ER, where they are finished.  Once the ER, or endoplasmic reticulum, finishes on working on the proteins, the proteins are sent to the golgi apparatus where they send the protein off out.  This concept is one thing we learned about in Unit 3.  After learning about the basics of how a cell works, we then learn how the cells function in different ways such as photosynthesis and cellular respiration.  Photosynthesis produces oxygen and glucose from sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide while cellular respiration takes in oxygen and glucose to make ATP, water, and carbon dioxide.

     In this unit, I learned more about myself and how I learn material.  I had many strengths and success that I did not have the previous unit but I also had some weaknesses and setbacks that could really hurt me later on.  One strength I gained this unit was to learn how the vodcasts work and how to take notes in the most efficient way.  I also learned more about how this class works so I can do homework and prepare for this class easier than in Unit 1 or Unit 2.  In this unit, I did not only have strengths, I also had many weaknesses and setbacks.   An example of one of the setbacks or weaknesses I had was that the material had many specific detail and I was too focused on the many details, but I really should get the big picture and what is going on before I study all the details on how it really works.  From all my experience in this class, I learned many things about myself and how I work as a student.  I am a better student than yesterday because I know more information about biology and I learned more about how I function as a student.  I am a better student because I learned more about myself and the content in biology.

     In this unit, I learned many interesting things such as photosynthesis and cellular respiration.  I do have some lingering questions after this unit came to an end.  I am curious about how cellular respiration and photosynthesis can work together or what if both things did not have enough of their resource to make enough of their product.  I also wonder about when animals, such as cows, eat plants, do the photosynthesis happen in their body or do the thylakoids do not get enough of what they need to start photosynthesis.