Photosynthesis & Respiration (Edexcel Int. A-level Biology)

Photosynthesis and respiration are two of the most commonly assessed topics in A-level exams but these questions are sometimes poorly answered by students due to a lack of understanding or an inability to apply their knowledge. With this in mind, these 8 lessons have been intricately planned to contain a wide range of activities that will engage and motivate the students whilst covering the key detail to try to deepen their understanding and includes exam-style questions so they are fully prepared for these assessments.

The following specification points in topics 5 and 7 of the Edexcel International A-level Biology specification are covered by these lessons:

• Understand the overall reaction of photosynthesis
• Understand the light-dependent reactions of photosynthesis including the role of these electrons in generating ATP, reducing NADP in photophosphorylation and producing oxygen through photolysis of water
• Understand the light-independent reactions as reduction of carbon dioxide using the products of the light-dependent reactions
• Know that the products are simple sugars that are used by plants, animals and other organisms in respiration and the synthesis of new biological molecules
• Understand the structure of chloroplasts in relation to their role in photosynthesis
• Understand the overall reaction of aerobic respiration
• Understand that respiration is a many-stepped process with each step controlled and catalysed by a specific intracellular enzyme
• Understand the roles of glycolysis in aerobic and anaerobic respiration
• Understand the role of the link reaction and the Krebs cycle in the complete oxidation of glucose and formation of carbon dioxide, ATP, reduced NAD and reduced FAD
• Understand how ATP is synthesised by oxidative phosphorylation

If you would like to sample the quality of the lessons in this bundle then download the products of photosynthesis lesson as this has been shared for free