The use of fossil fuels is contributing to the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. If we can produce fuels using cellulose-based ethanol, we may be able to remove carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Scientists are searching for a microbe that has the ability to process plant cellulose. This video can be used in a biotechnology unit, a sustainability lesson, or even when you want to simply introduce a science class to the kinds of current research that is going on today. 

Additional Tags

ess3.c, science

Show More Show Less

Pros

• Attractive illustration and animation
• Current event
• Assessment and discussion questions provided
• Could be used as a resource when addressing NGSS HS-ESS3-2

Cons

• Does not say if any microbes have been found that are capable of breaking down cellulose

Common Core

RI.9-10.7 SL.9-10.3 SL.11-12.3 RST.9-10.9 RST.11-12.9