Photosynthesis

What you will find here

This unit sits in the Plant Biology strand of Biology and natural sciences. It holds over 1,100 resources made by more than 900 contributors. Mind maps are the biggest group, with over 500, followed by over 400 flashcard decks and more than 100 quizzes. Notes, slide sets and flowcharts fill out the rest.

Where to start

Begin with the mind map Biology Unit 4.3.1- Photosynthesis. It covers why photosynthesis matters and how light is turned into chemical energy. Then open The Rate of Photosynthesis, which looks at light, carbon dioxide, temperature and water as limiting factors. The map How plants use glucose shows what happens to the sugar afterwards, including respiration.

The two stages in detail

For the light-dependent stage, try Photosynthesis Light Dependent Stage and Cyclic Photophosphorylation. For the light-independent stage, the Calvin Cycle map follows RuBP, carbon dioxide, glycerate 3-phosphate and the enzyme rubisco in the stroma. A flowchart on the light-independent reaction gives a second view of the same steps.

Practicals and experiments

The slide set Required Practical 8: Dehydrogenase Activity shows an example investigation using chloroplasts. Its author notes it may not be the only way to run it. The slides Experiments of photosynthesis explain why leaves are destarched and how iodine shows starch. Testing a Leaf for Starch is a quick map to pair with them.

Using quizzes and maps together

1. Read one mind map on a sub-topic.
2. Take a quiz such as Photosynthesis Quiz without looking.
3. Note the questions you missed and go back to the matching map.
4. Test yourself again with a flashcard deck.

Some resources mention GCSE Biology, A-level Biology, AP Biology and IB Biology, so you can look for the one that matches your course. Teachers can set a quiz or share a map as ready-made material. When you're ready, pick one resource and work through it.