Articles tagged as "Photosynthesis"

A Leaf in Time - A Popular Introduction to Photosynthesis

Using photosynthesis as the link, this beautifully produced book looks at a range of topics of interest to pupils especially at Y5 and 6 (animals and plants are interdependent, process of photosynthesis, greenhouse effect, energy conservation)

Interviews with scientists - Photosynthesis to Feed the World?

In this 8 minute video, Professor Jane Langdale of the University of Oxford discusses her work leading a team of scientists seeking to increase food production through research into the fundamentals of photosynthesis.

Plant Needs - biology, chemistry and physics for 11-14 students

This collection of resources for 11-14 students uses the topic of plants to address important scientific ideas in biology, chemistry and physics. While investigating how plants have evolved to grow and flourish in many different environments, the students can cover topics about atoms, elements and compounds, energy, and the particle model. The resources involve a mixture of independent investigations, engaging and hands-on practicals, and activities to identify misconceptions and strengthen understanding.

A-level set practicals - TLC of plant photosynthetic pigments

This new resource supports the use of practicals across various new 2015 A-level biology specifications (OCR, AQA, Edexcel and Eduqas). Students conduct Thin Layer Chromatography individually or in pairs to separate and identify the photosynthetic pigments from plant material within half an hour. This simple method has been designed to produce good separation of photosynthetic pigments using solvents that are suitable for use in a school biology laboratory.

Why do bananas fluoresce? An unexpected view of chlorophyll

As a banana ages, black spots appear on the skin. Shine ultraviolet light on them, and you will see an amazing fluorescent blue ring around each black spot. This is produced as the chlorophyll in the banana skin is broken down. This makes a fun and thought-provoking lesson starter for a topic on chlorophyll.

Biology animations - transport of water and sugar, respiration and photosynthesis and cell growth in plants

Animations on key topics in plant biology, including photosynthesis, xylem and phloem, and cell growth and division.

C4 rice - The science behind the poster

How can understanding photosynthesis help save thousands of lives every year? In this article, accompanying our poster on 'C4 Rice', we take a deeper look at the hidden aspects of photosynthesis and the work UK scientists are hoping might increase crop yields dramatically.

Revising A-level Biology: Plants 'R' Mint

'Revising A-level Biology: Plants ‘r’ mint' is an innovative revision resource, designed to encourage synoptic thinking and to develop a broader understanding of biology in A2 students. Each of the four student revision packs brings together a range of topics in animal, human and plant biology, centred on a common theme. The revision packs are intended to stretch and challenge students.

Photosynthesis Quiz: Test Your Knowledge!

This quiz about photosynthesis was designed to uncover various misconceptions that students often have, starting with GCSE level misconceptions and moving onto undergraduate level misconceptions.

Photosynthesis: testing a variegated leaf for starch

This resource tackles the learning objective “Only areas of the plant with chloroplasts can make starch in photosynthesis”. This is activity 11 in the ‘Photosynthesis: A Survival Guide’ scheme. Students carry out a starch test on a variegated leaf to demonstrate that only the parts containing chloroplasts are able to synthesise starch.

Sugar, starch or cellulose? What carbohydrates do plants make?

This resource tackles the learning objective ‘“Carbohydrates can be found in a range of plant organs”. This is activity 4 in the ‘Photosynthesis: A Survival Guide’ scheme. Pupils can test a variety of plant products for different sorts of carbohydrates, including glucose, starch and cellulose. These plant products can be fresh fruit and vegetables, but it is also interesting to test materials such as cotton wool and egg boxes, which contain a high proportion of cellulose. This is another good opportunity to get students engaged in practical work related to photosynthesis and will stretch their understanding of the carbohydrates.

Investigating photosynthesis and respiration using a carbon dioxide probe

This resource looks at photosynthesis and respiration through using a datalogger and carbon dioxide probe to measure amounts of carbon dioxide under different conditions. For schools with a carbon dioxide probe and a datalogger, this resource outlines a lesson plan making use of it to look at the different amounts of carbon dioxide detected as students enter the room, when a Bunsen burner is lit and when placed beside a plant in the dark or the light. For those without access to this equipment, the accompanying student sheet and Powerpoint gives an example graph that can be used for discussion and analysis.

Photosynthesis: what are chloroplasts?

In this resource, part of the 'Photosynthesis - A Survival Guide' scheme for 11-14 pupils, students investigate chloroplasts and starch production. Students observe chloroplasts directly under the microscope using a plant such as Elodea pondweed. Following this they take a thin section of potato tissue and stain it to show starch grains. Students then use their knowledge to hypothesise how variegated leaves might affect a plant’s growth.

Video clip - Chloroplasts and starch

This BBC video clip introduces chloroplasts and the accumulation of starch grains. This can be used as an introduction to the importance and then the structure of the chloroplast. Older students can then discuss the internal structure of the chloroplast and relate it to the different stages in photosynthesis.

Video clip - Light and starch production

This BBC video clip demonstrates the classic experiment to show that light is needed for the production of starch. The process can be discussed in terms of what is being done to the leaf at each stage and why the demonstration is so elegant. Pupils can then do their own leaf shading and iodine tests. This can then be extended into tests on leaves which have also been deprived of carbon dioxide.

Video clip - Van Helmont's experiments on plant growth

This BBC video clip demonstrates Van Helmont's classic experiment to investigate the puzzle of how plants grow. The clip also raises issues about the use of scientific evidence to support conclusion and can be used to emphasise that firm conclusions can only be drawn when clear evidence is found.

Video clip - Leaf structure, stomata and the absorption of carbon dioxide

This BBC video clip introduces the role of stomata, with the surface structure of a leaf observed using increasingly larger magnifications.This can be used as an introduction to leaf structure and then developed into a discussion of the other features of a leaf and how it is adapted for efficient photosynthesis.

Video clip - How commercial growers increase crop yield

This video clip from the BBC (from the TV series Botany: A Blooming History) looks at how commercial growers manipulate the limiting factors of photosynthesis to increase crop yield. A lesson 'starter' when discussing limiting factors.

Video clip - The work of Calvin and Benson on photosynthesis

This BBC video clip looks at the work of Benson and Calvin investigating photosynthesis in the 20th century. This can be used as an introduction for higher level students to the light independent reactions of photosynthesis and the Calvin-Benson cycle.

Video clip - Production of oxygen in plants

This BBC video clip demonstrates a classic experiment to investigate the production of oxygen by plants in sunlight. The design of Ingenhousz’ experiments can be discussed. The control of variables controlling photosynthesis such as light and heat etc. can be considered, and the way that only one variable can be changed while all others are controlled if firm conclusions are to be drawn.