4.7.4 Trophic levels in an ecosystem This section overlaps with 4.7.2 Organisation of an ecosystem. Producers link with 4.4.1, Photosynthesis. Decomposition with 4.7.2.2, How materials are cycled, and 4.7.2.3, Decomposition. The detail of decomposition should be taught with those sections. Spec ref. Summary of the Learning outcomes Suggested Opportunities to develop Opportunities to apply Self/peer assessment specification content timing scientific communication practical and enquiry skills Opportunities and What most candidates should skills resources be able to do Reference to past questions that indicate success 4.7.4.1 Producers, consumers Use and explain the terms: 1.5 Identify the organisms in a Use to represent and decomposers. producer, consumer, food using the terms: food chains. decomposer, herbivore, producer, consumer, Organisms obtain food carnivore and omnivore. decomposer, herbivore, as producers, carnivore and omnivore. consumers or decomposers. Observe the colour of a Producers are mostly Discuss why plants only Light absorption: Consider the effect on plant in different plants and algae. They absorb 1% of the incident absorption of light, of projector coloured light and transfer about 1% of light for photosynthesis. plants being green in coloured filters. suggest which colours of incident light for colour and often having a Demonstrate the effect of light are absorbed by a photosynthesis. shiny surface. shining different colours of green plant. Consumers include light on a plant. 4.7.4.1 herbivores, carnivores Compare the adaptations Describe how and omnivores. of herbivores, carnivores decomposers secrete Decomposers down and omnivores and relate external enzymes to digest dead plant and animal these to the food they eat. dead plants and animals, matter. then the small molecules Watch time-lapse films diffuse into the showing a dead animal and microorganism. decomposing. Discuss what causes it to happen.
4.7.4 Trophic levels in an ecosystem This section overlaps with 4.7.2 Organisation of an ecosystem. Producers link with 4.4.1, Photosynthesis. Decomposition with 4.7.2.2, How materials are cycled, and 4.7.2.3, Decomposition. The detail of decomposition should be taught with those sections. Spec ref. Summary of the specification content Learning outcomes What most candidates should be able to do Suggested timing Opportunities to develop scientific communication skills Opportunities to apply practical and enquiry skills Self/peer assessment Opportunities and resources Reference to past questions that indicate success 4.7.4.1 4.7.4.1 Producers, consumers and decomposers. Organisms obtain food as producers, consumers or decomposers. Producers are mostly plants and algae. They transfer about 1% of incident light for photosynthesis. Consumers include herbivores, carnivores and omnivores. Decomposers down dead plant and animal matter. Use and explain the terms: producer, consumer, decomposer, herbivore, carnivore and omnivore. Consider the effect on absorption of light, of plants being green in colour and often having a shiny surface. Describe how decomposers secrete external enzymes to digest dead plants and animals, then the small molecules diffuse into the microorganism. 1.5 Identify the organisms in a food using the terms: producer, consumer, decomposer, herbivore, carnivore and omnivore. Discuss why plants only absorb 1% of the incident light for photosynthesis. Demonstrate the effect of shining different colours of light on a plant. Compare the adaptations of herbivores, carnivores and omnivores and relate these to the food they eat. Watch time-lapse films showing a dead animal and decomposing. Discuss what causes it to happen. Use to represent food chains. Observe the colour of a plant in different coloured light and suggest which colours of light are absorbed by a green plant. Light absorption: projector coloured filters.
AQA-8461-SOW-ECOL.DOCX