Level 5 · Science S5.3

Photosynthesis, respiration and ecosystems

Plants capture energy from sunlight, cells release it, and ecosystems pass it along.

Planned. This book is not written yet. Below is its plan, which a teacher can already use.

You are ready for this book if

You can write the word equations for photosynthesis and respiration.

This book S5.3 Photosynthesis, respiration and ecosystems
One step down S4.3 Evolution and ecology

The plan

S5.3.1 ATP and energy in cells
- Explain how ATP releases energy and why cells need it
- Describe how ATP is made by chemiosmosis
S5.3.2 The light dependent reactions
- Describe how light splits water and makes ATP and reduced NADP
- Explain the roles of chlorophyll and other pigments
S5.3.3 The light independent reactions
- Outline the Calvin cycle and the role of rubisco
- Explain how C4 and CAM plants cope with hot, dry places
S5.3.4 Limiting factors
- Interpret graphs of rate against light, carbon dioxide and temperature
- Explain how farmers use limiting factors to raise yield
S5.3.5 Glycolysis and the Krebs cycle
- Outline glycolysis, the link reaction and the Krebs cycle
- State where in the cell each stage happens
S5.3.6 Oxidative phosphorylation and anaerobic respiration
- Explain how the electron transport chain makes most ATP
- Compare anaerobic pathways in muscle and yeast
- Calculate a respiratory quotient from gas volumes
S5.3.7 Energy transfer in ecosystems
- Calculate gross and net primary production
- Calculate the efficiency of energy transfer between trophic levels
S5.3.8 Nutrient cycles and succession
- Explain the roles of bacteria in the nitrogen cycle
- Describe succession from bare rock to a climax community

For parents and teachers

Level 5 fits learners who can already: read a textbook. use functions and graphs. In many schools that is about 17 to 20, but start wherever the learner is.

Strand: Living things. Written and drawn by attnom. Free to read, print and share.