Nutrient and Gas Requirements

Overview

• Investigate the structure of autotrophs through the examination of a variety of materials, for example:
  • Dissected plant materials
  • Microscopic structures
  • Using a range of imaging technologies to determine plant structure
• Investigate the function of structures in a plant, including but not limited to:
  • Tracing the development and movement of the products of photosynthesis
• Investigate the gas exchange structures in animals and plants through the collection of primary and secondary data and information, for example:
  • Microscopic structures: alveoli in mammals and leaf structure in plants
  • Macroscopic structures: respiratory systems in a range of animals
• Interpret a range of secondary-sourced information to evaluate processes, claims and conclusions that have led scientists to develop hypotheses, theories and models about the structure and function of plants, including but not limited to:
  • Photosynthesis
  • Transpiration-cohesion-tension theory
• Trace the digestion of foods in a mammalian digestive system, including:
  • Physical digestion
  • Chemical digestion
  • Absorption of nutrients, minerals and water
  • Elimination of solid waste
• Compare the nutrient and gas requirements of autotrophs and heterotrophs