Calculating NPP (Edexcel Int. A-level Biology)

This lesson explains how to calculate the net primary productivity by subtracting a plant’s respiratory losses from the gross primary productivity. The PowerPoint and accompanying resources have been designed to cover points 5.9 (i) and (ii) of the Edexcel International A-level Biology specification.

Due to the fact that the productivity of plants is dependent on photosynthesis, a series of exam-style questions have been written into the lesson which challenge the students to explain how the structure of the leaf as well as the light-dependent and light-independent reactions are linked to GPP. All of the exam questions have displayed mark schemes which are included in the PowerPoint to allow students to immediately assess their understanding. A number of quick quiz competitions as well as guided discussion points are used to introduce the formulae to calculate NPP and N and to recognise the meaning of the components. Once again, this is immediately followed by the opportunity to apply their understanding to selected questions