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Year 11 - Science

Climate change and photosynthesis

Photosynthesis: factors affecting the rate

Unit Summary

This unit explores factors affecting photosynthesis rates and focuses on planning and conducting experiments. It includes selecting techniques, accurate measurements, data analysis, and evaluating methods to improve reliability and suggest further investigations.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to explain how photosynthesis and food security could be affected by climate change.

Key Notes

  • Predictions about effects of factors such as temperature and availability of water and CO2 on rate of photosynthesis.
  • Photosynthesis in producers creates the biomass for food chains, which all consumers (including humans) depend on.
  • Climate change and global warming affect the temperature and the availability of water.
  • Rising temperatures, droughts and floods will reduce the yields of crop plants that feed farm animals and humans.
  • Different regions of the world and the people living there will be affected in different ways.

Vocabulary To Learn

  • prediction: A scientific prediction is a testable statement about a possible outcome.
  • limiting factor: A condition that, when in short supply, slows down or limits the rate of a process such as photosynthesis.
  • enzyme: An enzyme is a functional protein that acts as a biological catalyst to speed up chemical reactions.
  • food security: Food security is having reliable access to enough safe and nutritious food to meet the needs of the human population.
  • climate change: Climate change is a long-term shift in weather patterns.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • Thinking that an increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide will be beneficial by increasing photosynthesis and producing more food.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

1. Explain the scientific idea in this lesson using two key points.

Predictions about effects of factors such as temperature and availability of water and CO2 on rate of photosynthesis. Photosynthesis in producers creates the biomass for food chains, which all consumers (including humans) depend on.

2. Define this scientific word and use it in context. 'prediction'

A scientific prediction is a testable statement about a possible outcome. Include the word in a full scientific explanation, not as a single label.

3. Correct this common scientific misunderstanding.

Mistake: Thinking that an increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide will be beneficial by increasing photosynthesis and producing more food. Correction: The lesson explores why the negative effects of increasing atmospheric carbon dioxide outweigh any benefits from increased rate of photosynthesis.

More Lessons In This Unit

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