Ecosystems and Adaptations
Plant processes, ecological relationships, sampling, variation, inheritance and evolution in one connected biological story.
How do organisms capture resources, survive change and shape the ecosystems around them?
Life depends on linked processes. Photosynthesis captures energy, respiration releases it, feeding relationships transfer matter, and inherited variation allows populations to change over generations.
Spiral links
This topic builds on and feeds forward to:
- Y7 B1: cells, exchange and organ systems; Y7 C2: carbon cycle and climate
- Y8 B3: enzymes and plant reproduction; Y8 P4: energy stores and transfers
- Y9 IGCSE Bridge Biology: cells, transport and the diversity of living organisms
Lessons in this topic
Photosynthesis
Core explanation, retrieval and Exam Practice.
Leaves
Practical connection: Stomatal-print investigation
Investigating photosynthesis
Practical connection: Leaf-starch investigation
Plant minerals
Practical connection: Mineral-deficiency investigation
Aerobic respiration
Practical connection: Respirometer investigation
Anaerobic respiration
Practical connection: Yeast-fermentation investigation
Food chains and food webs
Core explanation, retrieval and Exam Practice.
Disruption to food chains and webs
Core explanation, retrieval and Exam Practice.
Ecosystems
Practical connection: Quadrat-sampling investigation
Competition and adaptation
Core explanation, retrieval and Exam Practice.
Adapting to change
Core explanation, retrieval and Exam Practice.
Variation
Core explanation, retrieval and Exam Practice.
Continuous and discontinuous variation
Practical connection: Variation-data investigation
Inheritance
Practical connection: DNA-extraction investigation
Natural selection
Core explanation, retrieval and Exam Practice.
Extinction
Core explanation, retrieval and Exam Practice.