Maths
Chemistry
Biology
English Language
History
Responding to change (a2 only)
Infection and response
Homeostasis and response
Energy transfers (a2 only)
Cell biology
Organisms respond to changes in their internal and external environments (a-level only)
Biological molecules
Organisation
Substance exchange
Bioenergetics
Genetic information & variation
Inheritance, variation and evolution
Genetics & ecosystems (a2 only)
Ecology
Cells
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Britain & the wider world: 1745 -1901
1l the quest for political stability: germany, 1871-1991
The cold war
Inter-war germany
Medieval period: 1066 -1509
2d religious conflict and the church in england, c1529-c1570
2o democracy and nazism: germany, 1918-1945
1f industrialisation and the people: britain, c1783-1885
1c the tudors: england, 1485-1603
2m wars and welfare: britain in transition, 1906-1957
World war two & the holocaust
2n revolution and dictatorship: russia, 1917-1953
2s the making of modern britain, 1951-2007
World war one
Britain: 1509 -1745
Show all topics
Biology
11 Dec 2025
119
2 pages
manaal @manaal_07
Photosynthesis is how plants make their own food using sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide. Understanding how this process... Show more
Ever wonder how plants create their own food whilst you're stuck making sandwiches? Photosynthesis is nature's ultimate food-making process, and it only happens in green plants and algae because they contain chlorophyll.
The equation you absolutely must remember is carbon dioxide + water → glucose + oxygen (using light energy). This is an endothermic reaction, meaning it needs energy input to work. The process starts when leaves absorb CO₂ and roots take up water, then chlorophyll captures light energy to convert these ingredients into glucose.
Leaves are perfectly designed for photosynthesis with several clever adaptations. They're broad and flat to maximise surface area for light absorption, thin for short diffusion paths, and packed with chlorophyll-containing cells. Guard cells control the stomata (tiny pores) to let gases flow in and out, whilst veins transport water in and glucose out.
Quick Tip Remember that some glucose gets converted into insoluble starch for storage - this prevents it from messing up the plant's water balance through osmosis.
Several factors can slow down photosynthesis and act as limiting factors. Lack of light means no energy for glucose production, cold temperatures make enzymes work poorly, and insufficient CO₂ starves the reaction of raw materials. Plants cleverly use their glucose for respiration, making cellulose for cell walls, creating fats and oils for storage, and producing proteins (when combined with nitrate ions from soil).
Farmers have cracked the code for boosting plant growth by optimising photosynthesis conditions. The more a plant photosynthesises, the more biomass it produces and the faster it grows - which means bigger profits for farmers.
Greenhouses and polytunnels are game-changers for crop production. Farmers can control temperature to keep enzymes working at their optimum, pump in extra CO₂ to prevent it becoming a limiting factor, and use artificial lighting to extend growing seasons. They also monitor nutrient levels, especially nitrate concentrations, to ensure plants have everything they need.
Hydroponics takes this control even further by growing plants in mineral solutions instead of soil. This guarantees plants never run out of essential nutrients, leading to faster growth and higher yields. It's like giving plants a perfectly balanced diet every single day.
Reality Check Running greenhouses costs serious money - think building costs, electricity bills, and computer systems - but the increased yields usually mean much higher profits overall.
The key is understanding that photosynthesis isn't just a random biological process - it's the foundation of food production. By manipulating light, temperature, CO₂, and nutrients, farmers can dramatically increase crop yields to feed our growing population.
Our AI Companion is a student-focused AI tool that offers more than just answers. Built on millions of Knowunity resources, it provides relevant information, personalised study plans, quizzes, and content directly in the chat, adapting to your individual learning journey.
You can download the app from Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
That's right! Enjoy free access to study content, connect with fellow students, and get instant help – all at your fingertips.
2
Smart Tools NEW
Transform this note into: ✓ 50+ Practice Questions ✓ Interactive Flashcards ✓ Full Mock Exam ✓ Essay Outlines
Explore the stages of mitosis in detail, including interphase, prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase. This concise summary highlights the key processes involved in cell division, essential for GCSE Edexcel and AQA students. Understand how mitosis contributes to growth and cell replacement, and use the PMAT acronym to remember the sequence of events.
BiologyExplore the processes of cell differentiation, the cell cycle, mitosis, and meiosis. Understand the roles of stem cells, their potency, and the significance of specialized cells like erythrocytes and neutrophils. This summary also addresses ethical concerns surrounding stem cell use and highlights the organization of cells into tissues and organs.
BiologyExplore the detailed stages of mitosis, including Prophase, Metaphase, Anaphase, and Telophase. This summary highlights key events such as chromatin condensation, spindle apparatus formation, and cytokinesis, essential for A Level Biology students. Understand the cell cycle phases and their significance in cell division.
BiologyExplore the detailed stages of mitosis, including early prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase. Understand the role of chromosomes, chromatids, and centrioles in cell division. This summary provides a clear overview of the mitotic process, essential for biology students.
BiologyExplore the intricacies of the cell cycle, including interphase stages (G1, S, G2), the role of checkpoints, and the significance of G0 phase. This summary provides insights into cell growth, division, and regulation mechanisms essential for maintaining cellular integrity.
BiologyExplore essential concepts for Biology Paper 1, including eukaryotic and prokaryotic cell structures, mitosis, enzyme functions, and the human circulatory and digestive systems. This comprehensive summary is perfect for exam preparation and understanding key biological processes.
BiologyApp Store
Google Play
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
manaal
@manaal_07
Photosynthesis is how plants make their own food using sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide. Understanding how this process works and what affects its rate is crucial for your GCSE biology exams.
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Ever wonder how plants create their own food whilst you're stuck making sandwiches? Photosynthesis is nature's ultimate food-making process, and it only happens in green plants and algae because they contain chlorophyll.
The equation you absolutely must remember is: carbon dioxide + water → glucose + oxygen (using light energy). This is an endothermic reaction, meaning it needs energy input to work. The process starts when leaves absorb CO₂ and roots take up water, then chlorophyll captures light energy to convert these ingredients into glucose.
Leaves are perfectly designed for photosynthesis with several clever adaptations. They're broad and flat to maximise surface area for light absorption, thin for short diffusion paths, and packed with chlorophyll-containing cells. Guard cells control the stomata (tiny pores) to let gases flow in and out, whilst veins transport water in and glucose out.
Quick Tip: Remember that some glucose gets converted into insoluble starch for storage - this prevents it from messing up the plant's water balance through osmosis.
Several factors can slow down photosynthesis and act as limiting factors. Lack of light means no energy for glucose production, cold temperatures make enzymes work poorly, and insufficient CO₂ starves the reaction of raw materials. Plants cleverly use their glucose for respiration, making cellulose for cell walls, creating fats and oils for storage, and producing proteins (when combined with nitrate ions from soil).
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Farmers have cracked the code for boosting plant growth by optimising photosynthesis conditions. The more a plant photosynthesises, the more biomass it produces and the faster it grows - which means bigger profits for farmers.
Greenhouses and polytunnels are game-changers for crop production. Farmers can control temperature to keep enzymes working at their optimum, pump in extra CO₂ to prevent it becoming a limiting factor, and use artificial lighting to extend growing seasons. They also monitor nutrient levels, especially nitrate concentrations, to ensure plants have everything they need.
Hydroponics takes this control even further by growing plants in mineral solutions instead of soil. This guarantees plants never run out of essential nutrients, leading to faster growth and higher yields. It's like giving plants a perfectly balanced diet every single day.
Reality Check: Running greenhouses costs serious money - think building costs, electricity bills, and computer systems - but the increased yields usually mean much higher profits overall.
The key is understanding that photosynthesis isn't just a random biological process - it's the foundation of food production. By manipulating light, temperature, CO₂, and nutrients, farmers can dramatically increase crop yields to feed our growing population.
Our AI Companion is a student-focused AI tool that offers more than just answers. Built on millions of Knowunity resources, it provides relevant information, personalised study plans, quizzes, and content directly in the chat, adapting to your individual learning journey.
You can download the app from Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
That's right! Enjoy free access to study content, connect with fellow students, and get instant help – all at your fingertips.
2
Smart Tools NEW
Transform this note into: ✓ 50+ Practice Questions ✓ Interactive Flashcards ✓ Full Mock Exam ✓ Essay Outlines
Explore the stages of mitosis in detail, including interphase, prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase. This concise summary highlights the key processes involved in cell division, essential for GCSE Edexcel and AQA students. Understand how mitosis contributes to growth and cell replacement, and use the PMAT acronym to remember the sequence of events.
BiologyExplore the processes of cell differentiation, the cell cycle, mitosis, and meiosis. Understand the roles of stem cells, their potency, and the significance of specialized cells like erythrocytes and neutrophils. This summary also addresses ethical concerns surrounding stem cell use and highlights the organization of cells into tissues and organs.
BiologyExplore the detailed stages of mitosis, including Prophase, Metaphase, Anaphase, and Telophase. This summary highlights key events such as chromatin condensation, spindle apparatus formation, and cytokinesis, essential for A Level Biology students. Understand the cell cycle phases and their significance in cell division.
BiologyExplore the detailed stages of mitosis, including early prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase. Understand the role of chromosomes, chromatids, and centrioles in cell division. This summary provides a clear overview of the mitotic process, essential for biology students.
BiologyExplore the intricacies of the cell cycle, including interphase stages (G1, S, G2), the role of checkpoints, and the significance of G0 phase. This summary provides insights into cell growth, division, and regulation mechanisms essential for maintaining cellular integrity.
BiologyExplore essential concepts for Biology Paper 1, including eukaryotic and prokaryotic cell structures, mitosis, enzyme functions, and the human circulatory and digestive systems. This comprehensive summary is perfect for exam preparation and understanding key biological processes.
BiologyApp Store
Google Play
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
Sociology