Ecosystems, Photosynthesis and Respiration

Ecosystems, Photosynthesis and Respiration - Science Dimensions 3 - Chapters 6 & 7

Knowledge & skills

• Explain the term conservation of energy and its implications in ecosystems.
• Distinguish between the biotic and abiotic components of an ecosystem.
• Compare and explain the role of producers, consumers, and decomposers in the cycling of matter through ecosystems.
• Describe the flow of energy through an ecosystem.
• Explain why there is a limit to the number of links in a food chain.
• Explain the changes that take place in plants as they photosynthesise and in plants and animals as they under go respiration (aerobic and anaerobic)
• Explain the processes of photosynthesis and respiration using word equations.
• Describe some impacts of human activities on ecosystems and discuss the positive and negative impacts of the use of pesticides and other chemicals on ecosystems.
• Draw flow diagrams of the carbon, nitrogen and water cycles.
• Discuss the issues associated with conservation of the environment.
• Carry out experiments relating to photosynthesis and respiration.
• Describe how sugars fats and protiens are used as an energy source.
• Describe the daily energy requirements for humans.

Experiments Photosynthesis and Elodea (Prac book) Carbon dioxide and breathing (Experiment 7.2   p205) Product of photosynthesis (Experiment 7.3  p211) Food webs (handout)	Worksheets Modelling food webs Year 9 worksheet booklet Answers to worksheet questions
Cyberlab	Class videos Biosphere cycles The Sea: A Microcosm Fragile ecosystem
Extra resources Energy for Living summary	Links Cells Alive