Obtaining the elements needed to make biological molecules
I can describe which chemical elements make up carbohydrates, proteins and lipids, and where producers and consumers get these elements from.
Obtaining the elements needed to make biological molecules
I can describe which chemical elements make up carbohydrates, proteins and lipids, and where producers and consumers get these elements from.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- All carbohydrates, proteins and lipids are made of the elements carbon, hydrogen and oxygen.
- All proteins and some lipids also contain the element nitrogen.
- Producers obtain carbon and oxygen from the air, hydrogen from water, and nitrogen from the soil.
- Consumers cannot use carbon from carbon dioxide in air to make biological molecules; only producers can do that.
- Consumers absorb oxygen from the air but get all their carbon and nitrogen by eating producers.
Keywords
Autotrophic - An organism that can make its own food, such as a plant or other producer.
Abiotic - The non-living parts of an ecosystem, such as the atmosphere.
Photosynthesis - The process carried out by plants that converts carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen.
Producer - An organism that produces its own food, such as a plant.
Consumer - An organism which must eat other organisms in order to obtain food.
Common misconception
That plants absorb nitrogen from the atmosphere, and animals do not need plants to obtain carbon, so plants are not necessary for food.
How plants obtain carbon and nitrogen, and the reliance that consumers have on producers for these inorganic elements is covered in detail.
To help you plan your year 10 biology lesson on: Obtaining the elements needed to make biological molecules, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 10 biology lesson on: Obtaining the elements needed to make biological molecules, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
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Explore more key stage 4 biology lessons from the Biological molecules and enzymes unit, dive into the full secondary biology curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Licence
Lesson video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
For energy and storage.
For growth and repair.
For energy storage, insulation and to make cell membranes.
Exit quiz
6 Questions
water
air
soil
non-living parts of an ecosystem
living parts of an ecosystem
organism that can make its own food, such as a plant