Science KS 3 Unit 9C Plants and Photosynthesis

In this unit pupils learn:

• about photosynthesis as the key process producing new plant biomass.
• that the carbon dioxide for photosynthesis comes from the air and that the water is absorbed through the roots.
• that chlorophyll enables a plant to utilise light in photosynthesis.
• about the role of the leaf in photosynthesis.
• about the importance of photosynthesis to humans and other animals.

In scientific enquiry pupils:

• consider how knowledge about the gases in the air has led to development of ideas about photosynthesis.
• interpret data and graphs using scientific knowledge and understanding.
• investigate photosynthesis in pond weed, controlling relevant variables.

This unit is expected to take approximately 7.5 hours.

OTHER RESOURCES

• oxygen probe for datalogging
• secondary sources to explore economically important plant products
• organisms, including Elodea, de-starched flowering plants, plants with extensive root systems and a selection of leaves, including variegated leaves
• leaf templates
• photographs, video clips showing time-lapse photography
• prepared slides of roots with root hairs
• specimens or photographs of plants growing without soil, eg hydroponic plants
• slides and micrographs showing leaf structure
• a range of familiar plant products, eg cotton fibre, rice, potatoes, wooden spills, corn oil
• secondary sources to show variation of carbon dioxide concentration around leaves over a 24-hour period