Work through the list without notes. If you cannot do a statement, follow its link, then come back. Guide = study guide; Practice = practice questions.
Understanding
- I can write the overall equation for photosynthesis and say what happens to the sugar made. (Guide: “Capturing light energy”)
- I can label the stroma, thylakoids, thylakoid space and grana, and say which stage happens where. (Guide: Figure 1; Practice Q1)
- I can trace electrons from water through photosystem II, the electron transport chain and photosystem I to NADPH. (Guide: “The light reactions”, Figure 2)
- I can explain where the O₂ released comes from. (Guide: step 2; Practice Q2)
- I can explain how redox reactions in the ETC build a proton gradient, and on which side of the thylakoid membrane H⁺ is high. (Guide: steps 3 and 6; Practice Q1)
- I can explain how ATP synthase uses the gradient to make ATP (photophosphorylation). (Guide: step 6; Practice Q3)
- I can explain how ATP and NADPH power the Calvin cycle, and why the two stages depend on each other. (Guide: “The Calvin cycle”)
- I can state that ETCs also occur in mitochondria and prokaryotic plasma membranes. (Guide: “The light reactions”)
Calculation and skills
- I can calculate masses of CO₂, water, glucose and O₂ from the equation. (Guide: Worked example 1; Practice Q4)
- I can turn a pH difference into a ratio of H⁺ concentrations. (Guide: Worked example 2; Practice Q7)
- I can read a light-response graph and explain its shape. (Practice Q5)
Reasoning
- I can predict the effects of an inhibitor or mutation on O₂, ATP, NADPH and sugar production. (Guide: Worked example 2; Practice Q3, Q7)
- I can use evidence to argue that photosynthesis began in prokaryotes, that cyanobacteria oxygenated the atmosphere and that chloroplasts came from cyanobacteria. (Guide: “Where photosynthesis came from”; Practice Q6)
All ticked? Move on to Topic 3.5, Cellular Respiration, or return to the course roadmap.