Topic One (1.1): Photosynthesis

Introduction Icon.png Introduction

This topic is typical of the extra detail studied in A2 compared to AS. To start with you will learn about ATP and the chloroplast in detail, analysing its absorption spectra, structure and reactions. Even more intensive is the information about the two parts of photosynthesis, the light dependent and the light independent stages. You will have to learn complex processes along with a lot of new vocabulary, so watch the videos and go through the information carefully to make sure you understand completely. Contact your tutor if you need any help.

Read Icon.png Reading

Edexcel AS/A Level Biology Student Book 2 pages 4 to 17

Edexcel International AS/A Level Biology Lab Book pages 51 to 53

Read & Make Notes Icon.png Read and Make Notes

Read pages 4 to 10, making notes (always include key definitions) and completing the ‘in-text’ questions.

Consolidate Icon.png Consolidate

Now consolidate your understanding by working through these additional resources:

Download READ – Chloroplasts

EXPLORE – Action and Absorption Spectra (BioNinja) Links to an external site. - Click on the other links on the left for more on photosynthesis.

WATCH – Leaf Chromatography (Twig) Links to an external site.

WATCH – Plant vs Animal Cells (Twig) Links to an external site.

Read & Make Notes Icon.png Read and Make Notes

Read pages 11 to 17, making notes and completing the ‘in-text’ questions.

Consolidate Icon.png Consolidate

Now consolidate your understanding by working through these additional resources:

EXPLORE – Introduction to Photosynthesis (Khan Academy) Links to an external site.

WATCH – Photosynthesis and Starch (Twig) Links to an external site.

Download READ – Photosynthesis Factsheet

Download REVIEW – Photosynthesis Diagram

EXPLORE – Light Independent Reactions Topic (Khan Academy) Links to an external site.

EXPLORE – The Calvin Cycle (Khan Academy) Links to an external site.

Experiments Icon.png Practical Knowledge

  • Read pages 51 to 53 in the Lab Book and fill in the variable tables in steps 2 and 3 of planning.

WATCH – Pondweed in Experiments (YouTube) Links to an external site. – This is not a run through of any particular method but gives a lot of commentary on the problems and practicalities of the pondweed in general.

Download OBSERVE – Core Practical 10 Results

  • Use the Core Practical 10 results to design and complete the results table on page 53, then complete the graph and questions on pages 54 to 56. Check your answers in the back of the book and using the model answers on Canvas.

Download OBSERVE – Practical 10 Model Answers

Make Notes Icon.png Tasks

Complete the following:

  • Complete the Thinking Bigger section on pages 18 to 19 in the textbook.
  • Complete all the questions on pages 20 to 21.

Top Tip Icon.png Top Tips

Make sure that you understand the following key points:

  • Detail is paramount in A2 questions! Use as many key words in each answer as possible
  • Questions on the light dependent or independent stages are often worth 5 marks or more, so make sure you can explain them clearly and in a sensible order.
  • This is a complex topic! Don’t be ashamed to ask for help, we empathise with your struggle on these difficult topics, as we remember struggling with them ourselves!

Glossary Icon.png Key Terms

Check that you know all of the terms in the Subject Vocabulary boxes on pages 6 and 17, and add any you don’t know to your glossary.