WJEC GCSE Biology: Plants and ecosystems (Unit 1) overview
An overview of the plants and ecosystems content in WJEC GCSE Biology Unit 1 (sections 1.5 and 1.6), mapping photosynthesis and limiting factors, leaf structure and transport, transpiration, food chains, webs and pyramids, the carbon and nitrogen cycles, and human impact and biodiversity.
Reviewed by: AI editorial process; not yet individually human-reviewed
Jump to a section
This module covers how plants make and move food, and how energy and nutrients flow through ecosystems. It draws together two sections of WJEC Biology Unit 1: section 1.5 Plants and photosynthesis and section 1.6 Ecosystems, nutrient cycles and human impact. This page maps the module and links to a focused answer page for each topic.
The plants and ecosystems content
- Photosynthesis and limiting factors
- Photosynthesis as the process that makes glucose, its equations, the limiting factors, and the required practicals. See Photosynthesis and limiting factors.
- Leaf structure and transport in plants
- The structure of a leaf and its adaptations, and the function of the xylem and phloem. See Leaf structure and transport in plants.
- Transpiration
- The loss of water vapour, the transpiration stream, the factors affecting its rate, and the role of stomata. See Transpiration.
- Food chains, webs and pyramids
- Feeding relationships, pyramids of number and biomass, and energy transfer and loss. See Food chains, webs and pyramids.
- The carbon and nitrogen cycles
- How carbon and nitrogen are recycled, the bacteria involved, and the conditions affecting decay. See The carbon and nitrogen cycles.
- Human impact and biodiversity
- Pollution, eutrophication, global warming, deforestation, and conservation. See Human impact and biodiversity.
How this module is examined
This content is assessed on Unit 1, a written paper of 1 hour 45 minutes, worth 80 marks and 45% of the qualification, tiered at Foundation and Higher. Expect short answer, structured, data response and extended writing questions, including rate graphs and sequences such as eutrophication.
How to study this module
Plants and ecosystems rewards clear sequences and careful reasoning.
- Learn the photosynthesis equation and limiting factors. Be ready to explain rate graphs.
- Link leaf structure to function. Each layer of the leaf has a job.
- Learn the cycles step by step. The carbon and nitrogen cycles, and the named bacteria.
- Learn the eutrophication sequence. Nutrients, algal bloom, light blocked, decomposers use up oxygen, animals die.
- Give specific conservation methods. Nature reserves, captive breeding, seed banks, reforestation.
For the official specification
WJEC publishes the full specification, past papers and mark schemes at wjec.co.uk. Always revise from the current specification and WJEC's own past papers.
Sources & how we know this
- WJEC GCSE Biology specification (from 2016) — WJEC (2016)