As our climate continues to change and our planet tries to adapt to industrialisation and human endeavour, understanding the basic processes of life on earth will be critical in both trying to protect the home we have and the knowledge and skills required to potentially find a new one. 

In this program, students get hands-on experience as they investigate the processes of photosynthesis and respiration in response to a range of environmental conditions. 

To do this, students will employ an experimental apparatus consisting of yeast/algal cells immobilised in an algal gel, enabling CO2 production/consumption to be measured. The results are then recorded in a spreadsheet to help them process and analyse their data for potential use in a SAC.