Teaching Photosynthesis: Some Thoughts

J.F. Allen, E. Gantt, J.H. Golbeck, and B. Osmond (eds.), Photosynthesis. Energy from the Sun: 14th International Congress on Photosynthesis, 1619–1624. © 2008 Springer. Abstract ‘Life is Bottled Sunshine’ is a fourword summary of the significance of photosynthesis for life on Earth. We all know the importance of the audio visual tools for communicating scientific principles to the students. During my 40 years of teaching BS to PhD level students, I have found that they have learned some of the photosynthesis concepts faster and with ease when they were encouraged to imagine themselves either (a) as molecules participating in exciton transfer from antenna to reaction center molecules, or as electrons/ protons moving through the Z-scheme; or (b) as scientists of the past describing their own results. Further, the inclusion of analogies, photographs and personal aspects of the discoverers fascinates students as they absorb the scientific concepts. In addition, simple movies such as those showing Photosystem II, exciton transfer, and rotating ATP Synthase imprint the dynamic nature of the processes in their minds. In this Chapter, I discuss some thoughts about teaching. In my experience, a historical perspective inspires students to learn and encourages a desire to solve problems.