Photosynthesis

Four 60 minute lessons of content to guide pupils to understand the process of photosynthesis, how a leaf is adapted to carry out photosynthesis and the interaction of limiting factors including the application of the inverse square law. This is a guided set of lessons and therefore can be taught by non-specialists.

Although closely following the Edexcel GCSE exam specification, these lessons are also appropriate for KS3 pupils in preparation for their GCSE Science content (both triple and combined scientists).

The design of these lessons is based around the following specification points from the Edexcel Combined Science (Biology) course:

B6.1 Describe photosynthetic organisms as the main producers of food and therefore biomass

B6.2 Describe photosynthesis in plants and algae as an endothermic reaction that uses light energy to react carbon dioxide and water to produce glucose and oxygen

B6.3 Explain the effect of temperature, light intensity and carbon dioxide concentration as limiting factors on the rate of photosynthesis

B6.4 (Higher) Explain the interactions of temperature, light intensity and carbon dioxide concentration in limiting the rate of photosynthesis

B6.6 (Higher) Explain how the rate of photosynthesis is directly proportional to light intensity and inversely proportional to the distance from a light source, including the use of the inverse square law calculation

B6.9 …including the structure and function of the stomata