Topics 5.1 & 5.2: Respiration & photosynthesis (AQA A-level Biology)

Respiration and photosynthesis are two of the most commonly-assessed topics in the terminal A-level exams but can be the least well understood by students. These 11 lessons have been intricately planned to contain a wide range of activities that will engage the students whilst covering the key detail to try to deepen their understanding and include exam-style questions so they are prepared for these assessments.

The following specification points in topics 5.1 and 5.2 of the AQA A-level Biology course are covered by these lessons:

• The photoionisation of chlorophyll
• The production of ATP and reduced NADP through the transfer of electrons and pumping of protons across the thylakoid membrane
• Photolysis of water to produce protons, electrons and oxygen
• The use of the products of the light-dependent reaction in the Calvin cycle
• Carbon fixation involving RUBISCO
• The reduction of GP to TP
• The regeneration of RuBP from TP
• The conversion of TP to organic substances
• The environmental factors that limit the rate of photosynthesis
• Respiration produces ATP
• Glycolysis as the first stage of aerobic and anaerobic respiration
• The conversion of pyruvate to ethanol or lactate using reduced NAD
• The key details of the Link reaction, Krebs cycle and oxidative phosphorylation
• The metabolic pathways of other respiratory substrates

Due to the detail of these lessons, it is estimated that it will take in excess of a month of A-level lessons to cover these specification points

If you would like to sample the quality of the lessons, download the chloroplast structure, anaerobic respiration and oxidative phosphorylation lessons as these have been shared for free