IP Combined Science Notes (Lower Sec, Year 1-2): 05) Photosynthesis, Nutrition & Cellular Respiration

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10 Dec 2025, 00:00 Z

Q: What does IP Combined Science Notes (Lower Sec, Year 1-2): 05) Photosynthesis, Nutrition & Cellular Respiration cover?
A: Balance key bioenergetic equations, analyse nutrition experiments, and connect respiration to energy transfer.

Energy flow in living systems depends on both photosynthesis (energy capture) and respiration (energy release). Pair these processes with nutrition to explain growth, maintenance, and activity.

Learning targets

State balanced equations for photosynthesis and aerobic/anaerobic respiration.
Explain limiting factors of photosynthesis with experimental evidence.
Describe components of a balanced human diet and consequences of deficiency/excess.
Interpret calorimetry experiments and calculate energy released per unit mass.

1. Core equations

Process	Balanced equation	Notes
Photosynthesis	$\ce{6CO2 + 6H2O ->[light][chlorophyll] C6H12O6 + 6O2}$

Nutrient	Function	Deficiency / Excess
Carbohydrates	Primary energy source.	Low: fatigue. Excess: obesity.
Proteins	Growth, repair, enzyme production.	Deficiency: kwashiorkor.
Fats	Energy storage, insulation.	Excess increases cardiovascular risk.
Vitamins (e.g. C, D)	Co-factors for metabolic reactions.	Lack of vitamin C causes scurvy.
Minerals (e.g. iron, calcium)	Components of haemoglobin/bones.	Iron deficiency causes anaemia.
Water	Transport medium, temperature regulation.	Dehydration impairs enzyme function.
Fibre	Maintains bowel health.	Low fibre causes constipation.

IP Combined Science Notes (Lower Sec, Year 1-2): 05) Photosynthesis, Nutrition & Cellular Respiration

Learning targets

1. Core equations

2. Limiting factors of photosynthesis

Worked example - Light intensity analysis

3. Human nutrition basics

4. Calorimetry & energy values

Worked example - Food energy calculation

Try it yourself

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