What This Document Is
This document is a student exploration sheet—a Gizmo—focused on the carbon cycle and the impact of human activities on it. It’s designed for use within a Molecular Biology (BP 723) course at Harvard University. The Gizmo format suggests an interactive, simulation-based learning experience. The provided excerpt focuses on Activity B, exploring the formation of fossil fuels and the effects of human practices like cement production and agriculture.
Why This Document Matters
This resource is intended for students enrolled in the Harvard Molecular Biology course. It serves as a guided investigation into a complex environmental process—the carbon cycle—and how human actions are altering it. Students would use this during lab sessions or as a supplemental learning tool to reinforce concepts discussed in lectures. It’s valuable for understanding the scientific basis of climate change and the interconnectedness of Earth’s systems.
Common Limitations or Challenges
This document is a *component* of a larger interactive experience (the Gizmo). It provides questions and prompts for exploration *within* the Gizmo environment. It does not stand alone as a comprehensive explanation of the carbon cycle. Users will need access to the Gizmo itself to fully benefit from this exploration sheet. It also focuses on specific aspects of human impact, and doesn’t cover the entire scope of carbon cycle dynamics.
What This Document Provides
This excerpt includes:
* A series of guided questions to investigate the formation of coal, petroleum, and natural gas within the Gizmo simulation.
* Prompts to analyze the role of the cement industry and agricultural practices (slash-and-burn) in affecting atmospheric carbon dioxide levels.
* Exploration of how land animals, specifically cattle, contribute to atmospheric methane.
* An introduction to modeling changes in atmospheric carbon over time, referencing carbon reservoirs and gigatonnes of carbon (GtC).
* Vocabulary terms related to the carbon cycle (atmosphere, biomass, carbon reservoir, etc.).
This preview *does not* include the full interactive Gizmo experience, the complete Activity C, or any detailed explanations of the underlying scientific principles. It only presents the questions and prompts designed to guide student exploration.
