6th Year Biology Revision: Week Eight

As we move into Week Eight of your Biology revision journey…

This week we turn our attention to Photosynthesis — one Unit 2 chapters that ties plant anatomy directly to function.

👉 Photosynthesis explores how plants convert light energy into chemical energy — the foundation of nearly all life on Earth. You’ll learn the detailed stages of photosynthesis, from light absorption in the chloroplasts to glucose formation in the dark (light-independent) stage. Understanding key molecules such as ATP, NADP⁺, and chlorophyll will help you explain how energy is captured, transferred, and stored within plant cells.

👉 This chapter also links closely to Energy Carriers and Plant Structure, as you revisit chloroplast anatomy, leaf adaptations, and the role of gases and water in maintaining photosynthetic efficiency. You’ll study the importance of environmental factors — light intensity, CO₂ concentration, and temperature — and how they influence the rate of photosynthesis in both natural and experimental settings.

📦 Mandatory Experiments (Q9)

• To investigate the effect of light intensity or carbon dioxide concentration on the rate of photosynthesis using an aquatic plant (e.g. Elodea)

As always, your weekly plan includes:

✅ A chapter learning confidence checklist

✅ Core topics and diagrams to revise

✅ Exam-style assessment questions to test your understanding

💡 Examiner Tip: Photosynthesis regularly appears in Section A (definitions, short calculations, and diagrams of chloroplasts) and Section B as the light intensity experiment. Be sure you can clearly label light and dark stages, explain the pathways of electron flow, and use correct terms like photolysis, NADPH, and carbon fixation.

Stick with the plan 💪 — master this chapter now and you’ll strengthen your foundation for Respiration, Ecology, and Plant Physiology later in the course.

Scroll down for your Week Eight Checklist and get started today!