This lesson guides students through the stages of the nitrogen cycle, focusing on the vital roles performed by microorganisms in this cycle. The detailed PowerPoint and accompanying resources are part of the 1st lesson in a series of 3 lessons which have been planned to cover point 5.4 (nutrient cycles) of the AQA A-level biology specification.
The lesson begins by challenging students to recall two monomers containing nitrogen that were met in topic 1, allowing them to recognise that this chemical element is a key component of nucleotides in DNA and amino acids, which are needed to synthesise proteins. Moving forwards, they will learn that despite the high % of nitrogen in the Earth’s atmosphere, it cannot be used directly by plants, and therefore plants need a supply of “fixed” nitrogen. A diagram is constantly updated and displayed as new information is introduced and this supports their understanding. The students will discover that microorganisms are involved in nitrogen fixation, decomposition and ammonification, nitrification, and denitrification. As each of these biological actions is introduced, time is spent considering key details and understanding checks are used to allow the students to assess their progress. There are also several prior knowledge checks, where students are encouraged to make links to content met in topics 1 - 4. Answers to all questions are embedded into the PowerPoint.
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Nutrient cycles (5.4 AQA A-level biology)
Topic 5.4 of the AQA A-level biology specification is titled Nutrient cycles, and students are expected to understand how nutrients are recycled within ecosystems, as exemplified by the nitrogen and phosphorus cycle, and be able to describe environmental issues that arise when fertilisers leach into waterways. These 3 lessons have been planned at length to ensure they cover all the detailed content in the specification and also contain prior knowledge checks and links to the future so students understand how this topic links with parts of topics 1 - 4 and 6 - 8. If you would like to observe the quality of the lessons before purchasing the bundle, then download the phosphorus cycle lesson as this has been shared for free.
£6.00
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Topics 5.3 & 5.4 (AQA A-level biology)
All 6 lessons in this bundle are detailed, engaging and include regular understanding checks, with answers embedded into the PowerPoint, to allow students to assess their progress. They have been designed to cover all of the content included in topics 5.3 and 5.4 of the AQA A-level biology specification.
£10.00
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Topic 5: Energy transfers in and between organisms (AQA A-level Biology)
Normally the first topic to be taught in the second year of the AQA A-level Biology course, topic 5 contains some very important biological processes which include photosynthesis, respiration and energy transfer between organisms. All 17 lessons included in this bundle are highly detailed and have been planned at length to ensure that students remain motivated and engaged whilst being constantly challenged on their current understanding. Links to previously-covered topics are also made throughout the lessons. The following specification points are covered in these lessons: TOPIC 5.1 * The light-dependent reaction of photosynthesis * The use of reduced NADP and ATP from the light-dependent reaction in the light-independent reaction * The light-independent reaction of photosynthesis * Environmental factors that limit the rate of photosynthesis TOPIC 5.2 * Respiration produces ATP * Glycolysis as the first stage of aerobic and anaerobic respiration * The conversion of pyruvate to lactate or ethanol in the anaerobic pathways * The link reaction and the Krebs cycle * Synthesis of ATP by oxidative phosphorylation * Other respiratory substrates TOPIC 5.3 * Gross primary production and net primary production * The net production of consumers * Farming practices designed to increase the efficiency of energy transfer TOPIC 5.4 * The role of microorganisms in the nitrogen cycle * The phosphorus cycle, including the role of saprobionts and mycorrrhizae * The use of artificial and natural fertilisers * The environmental issues arising from the use of fertilisers including leaching and eutrophication. If you would like to sample the quality of the lessons in this bundle, then download the chloroplast structure, anaerobic respiration, oxidative phosphorylation, GPP and phosphorus cycle lessons as these have been uploaded for free
£22.00
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