Photosynthesis: requirements and products
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Threads
Why this why now
This unit helps answer the big question, What are living things and what are they made of?, by examining photosynthesis, a key process where plants convert light, water, and carbon dioxide into glucose and oxygen, storing energy in chemical bonds. This understanding prepares pupils for the next unit, Aerobic and anaerobic cellular respiration, where they will explore how living organisms release energy from glucose, reinforcing the interconnected roles of photosynthesis and respiration in sustaining life.
Prior knowledge requirements
- Plants are multicellular organisms – they are made up of millions of living cells.
- Plants do not take in food; they are producers that make their own food in the form of carbohydrate by photosynthesis.
- The chemical reactants of photosynthesis are water and carbon dioxide.
- Photosynthesis can only happen in the light.
- The chemical products of photosynthesis are oxygen and glucose (a type of carbohydrate).
- Photosynthesis involves many chemical reactions; a word summary of the reactants and products is a model of the process.
- Plant leaves are adapted for photosynthesis; they have stomata for gas exchange, to absorb carbon dioxide and release waste oxygen; and they have a large surface area to absorb light.
- The cells that make up leaves have chloroplasts that contain chlorophyll, where photosynthesis takes place.
Threads
Why this why now
This unit helps answer the big question, What are living things and what are they made of?, by examining photosynthesis, a key process where plants convert light, water, and carbon dioxide into glucose and oxygen, storing energy in chemical bonds. This understanding prepares pupils for the next unit, Aerobic and anaerobic cellular respiration, where they will explore how living organisms release energy from glucose, reinforcing the interconnected roles of photosynthesis and respiration in sustaining life.
Prior knowledge requirements
- Plants are multicellular organisms – they are made up of millions of living cells.
- Plants do not take in food; they are producers that make their own food in the form of carbohydrate by photosynthesis.
- The chemical reactants of photosynthesis are water and carbon dioxide.
- Photosynthesis can only happen in the light.
- The chemical products of photosynthesis are oxygen and glucose (a type of carbohydrate).
- Photosynthesis involves many chemical reactions; a word summary of the reactants and products is a model of the process.
- Plant leaves are adapted for photosynthesis; they have stomata for gas exchange, to absorb carbon dioxide and release waste oxygen; and they have a large surface area to absorb light.
- The cells that make up leaves have chloroplasts that contain chlorophyll, where photosynthesis takes place.
Biology
Photosynthesis: requirements and products
This unit explores photosynthesis as the basis for food and biomass, examines cell structure and adaptations in eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells, and covers the photosynthesis process. It focuses on using models and theories to develop hypotheses, interpret data, and present reasoned explanations.
4 lessons in unit
slide decks, worksheet PDFs, quizzes and lesson overviews. You can select individual lessons from the Photosynthesis: requirements and products unit and download the resources you need, or download the entire unit now. See every unit listed in our OCR secondary combined science curriculum and discover more of our teaching resources for OCR secondary combined science programmes.