Biology — Ecology and Ecosystems

Exam board: OCR  |  Back to subjects

Board-Specific Note

OCR specification; note any options relevant to your centre.

Learning Objectives

• Describe energy flow through ecosystems
• Understand nutrient cycles
• Explain population dynamics

Key Points

• Trophic levels and food chains
• Carbon and nitrogen cycles
• Carrying capacity

Lesson Plan (50 minutes)

1. Starter (5 min): Recall prior knowledge of ecology and ecosystems with quick questions.
2. Teaching (15 min): Work through each of the learning objectives, explaining principles step by step.
3. Key points review (5 min): Revisit the key points together, confirming understanding.
4. Worked example (10 min): Model the example question: What happens to energy at each trophic level?. Solution: Some is lost as heat, so less is available
5. Practice (10 min): Students attempt the practice questions independently; circulate and support.
6. Plenary (5 min): Review answers and address misconceptions.

Homework

• Name two greenhouse gases
• Describe the carbon cycle in three steps
• Define a trophic level

Assessment

Check practice answers against the model answer; use the built-in practice questions as formative assessment.