AQA · GCSE · Biology
Course version: 8461 · Version from Sept 2018
AT skills covered by this practical activity: AT 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5.
Full specification wording
Rate of photosynthesis: AT skills covered by this practical activity: AT 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5.
This statement identifies the specific apparatus and techniques (AT) used when investigating photosynthesis.
Checked against the AQA 8461 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 8 of 9
- 2 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
This statement identifies the specific apparatus and techniques (AT) used when investigating photosynthesis. AT 1 involves using apparatus to make accurate measurements, such as a ruler for distance or a stopwatch for time. AT 2 covers the safe use of heating devices, like a water bath to control temperature. AT 3 refers to using apparatus to observe biological processes, such as collecting gas in a syringe. AT 4 involves the safe use of living organisms, like handling pondweed carefully to measure its physiological response to light. AT 5 focuses on measuring rates of reaction, such as calculating the volume of oxygen produced per minute. These specific techniques ensure the practical yields valid data.
What earns the marks
- AT 1: Use appropriate apparatus to accurately measure variables, such as a ruler for light distance and a stopwatch for time.
- AT 2: Safely use heating devices, such as a water bath, to control the temperature of the pondweed's environment.
- AT 3: Use appropriate apparatus, like a gas syringe or inverted measuring cylinder, to observe and measure oxygen production.
- AT 4: Safely use living organisms, such as Elodea or Cabomba pondweed, to measure physiological responses to environmental changes.
- AT 5: Measure the rate of reaction by recording the volume of gas produced over a specific time period.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Confusing AT codes with generic working scientifically skills.
Put it right: AT codes refer to specific apparatus and techniques, such as AT 5 for measuring rates of reaction.
Failing to specify the apparatus used for measurements.
Put it right: Explicitly state the equipment, such as using a thermometer to monitor temperature (AT 1).
Ignoring the safe use of living organisms.
Put it right: Recognise that handling pondweed to measure its response to light is a specific technique (AT 4).
Exam tips
- When describing this practical, explicitly name the apparatus used to measure the dependent and independent variables.
- Remember that controlling temperature using a water bath demonstrates a specific practical technique (AT 2).
Try the lesson
The start of the Rate of photosynthesis: AT skills covered by this practical activity: AT 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
A student investigates the effect of light intensity on the rate of photosynthesis by counting bubbles from pondweed. Which modification to the apparatus would provide a more accurate measurement of the rate of photosynthesis?
Listen
This statement identifies the specific apparatus and techniques (AT) used when investigating photosynthesis. AT 1 involves using apparatus to make accurate measurements, such as a ruler for distance or a stopwatch for time. AT 2 covers the safe use of heating devices, like a water bath to control temperature. AT 3 refers to using apparatus to observe biological processes, such as collecting gas in a syringe. AT 4 involves the safe use of living organisms, like handling pondweed carefully to measure its physiological response to light. AT 5 focuses on measuring rates of reaction, such as calculating the volume of oxygen produced per minute. These specific techniques ensure the practical yields valid data. A strong answer earns marks for these points. AT 1: Use appropriate apparatus to accurately measure variables, such as a ruler for light distance and a stopwatch for time. AT 2: Safely use heating devices, such as a water bath, to control the temperature of the pondweed's environment. AT 3: Use appropriate apparatus, like a gas syringe or inverted measuring cylinder, to observe and measure oxygen production. AT 4: Safely use living organisms, such as Elodea or Cabomba pondweed, to measure physiological responses to environmental changes. A common slip: Confusing AT codes with generic working scientifically skills. Instead, AT codes refer to specific apparatus and techniques, such as AT 5 for measuring rates of reaction. Exam tip: When describing this practical, explicitly name the apparatus used to measure the dependent and independent variables.
See it
Key words
Say what each word means before you turn the card.
Apparatus and techniques
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Practical investigation of photosynthesis
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
See every definition
- Apparatus and techniques
- Specific equipment and methods used when investigating photosynthesis, identified by AT codes.
- Practical investigation of photosynthesis
- Activity in which apparatus and techniques are used to investigate photosynthesis, covering AT 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5.
Label the diagram
Some boxes have lost their names. Pick the right name for each number.
1Box 1
2Box 2
3Box 3
There is more to this lesson
The full lesson goes on to check your understanding and help you earn the marks. Create a free account to carry on, with your progress saved.
A week of Premium from your first lesson · Then the free plan continues · No card, no charge
Test your understanding of Rate of photosynthesis: AT skills covered by this practical activity: AT 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5.
Active recall beats re-reading. Take an instant quiz now to test what you’ve learned and lock it into long-term memory.
A week of Premium from your first lesson · Then the free plan continues · No card, no charge