Photosynthesis and mineral nutrition
A collection of Catalyst articles about photosynthesis and mineral nutrition.
- ALL
- Article
Article
Plants and Soil Nutrients
A Catalyst article looking at how plants develop large surface areas both in the air (leaves) and in the soil (root hairs) to get all they need from the environment.
This article is from Catalyst: GCSE Science Review 2003, Volume 13, Issue 4.
Photosynthesis *suitable for home teaching*
This Catalyst article looks at the process of photosynthesis, by which plants make a range of biochemical compounds. The article explains how photosynthesis actually ties in with growth.
This article is from Catalyst: GCSE Science Review 2003, Volume 14, Issue 2.
Tree Power
A Catalyst article about wood as a renewable source of energy. Wood and biomass products could be used to generate electricity in the UK, and the article looks at the advantages and disadvantages of doing this and the technologies such energy generation would require.
This article is from Catalyst: GCSE Science Review 2004, Volume 15, Issue 1.
The Price of Rice
This Catalyst article looks at the production of rice, which is a staple food for billions of people. It describes how crop scientists have identified varieties of rice with favourable characteristics, such as flood resistance, and are using them to develop crops with increased yield.
The article is from Catalyst: Secondary Science Review 2012, Volume 22, Issue 3.
Corn Flakes, Rice Krispies or Weetabix
This Catalyst article looks at how scientists can use material recovered from archaeological sites to see how crops have been introduced to different countries over the history of farming.
The article is from Catalyst: Secondary Science Review 2012, Volume 23, Issue 2.
From Ancient to Future Solar Fuels
This Catalyst article investigates the research into artificial photosynthetic systems.
The article is from Catalyst: Secondary Science Review 2014, Volume 24, Issue 4.
Neptune's Flowers
Seagrass meadows are an important environment in the Mediterranean and around Australia. They support diverse wildlife communities and act as carbon stores. This article explains what seagrass is, its value and the human threats to underwater seagrass meadows.
The article is from Catalyst: Secondary Science Review 2014, Volume 25, Issue 1.
Banana Blues
This article from Catalyst looks at the ageing process in bananas. As bananas age, spots develop on their skins. These contain fluorescent substances which can be seen with a UV torch.
The article is from Catalyst: Secondary Science Review 2014, Volume 25, Issue 2.
From small seeds to big yields
This Catalyst article looks at the process of domestication which led to a natural increase in traits such as grain size (increasing calories available), grain accessibility, an increased number of grains and the loss of a hard protective coating.
This article is from Catalyst: Secondary Science Review 2016, Volume 26, Issue 3.
Plants and Mineral Nutrients
A Catalyst article looking at the chemicals that are in plants and trees and the role they play in the life of the plant.
This article is from Catalyst: GCSE Science Review 2006, Volume 16, Issue 3.
In the Pink: Colour from Carotenes
This Catalyst article explains how in nature, bioamplification causes substances to become more concentrated as they move from eater to eaten along a food chain.
This article is from Catalyst: Secondary Science Review 2008, Volume 19, Issue 2.
Starting a Greener Revolution
A Catalyst article looking at strategies for ensuring that there is a plentiful food supply in the future and how this can be sustained.
This article is from Catalyst: GCSE Science Review 2010, Volume 20, Issue 4.
Biophotovoltaics
A Catalyst article looking at the use of plant cells to generate electricity via photosynthesis. This branch of science is called biophotovoltaics.
This article is from Catalyst: Secondary Science Review 2011, Volume 21, Issue 4.
The World of Parasitic Plants
This Catalyst article looks at types of parasitic plants and how they derive their nutrients from the root systems of other plants.
This article is from Catalyst: Secondary Science Review 2013, Volume 24, Issue 2.
Energy Transfer *suitable for home teaching*
A Catalyst article devoted to food chains. This article looks at photosynthesis and the loss of energy from plants to animals throughout the food chain. How this limits the number of animals that can survive on the energy fixed by a patch of vegetation is explained.
This article is from Catalyst: GCSE Science Review 2002, Volume 13, Issue 2.
Unlocking the Genetic Diversity of Rice
This Catalyst article looks at wild rice which was domesticated a long time ago, and explores how understanding its genetic diversity can help to develop new strains.
This article is from Catalyst: Secondary Science Review 2011, Volume 22, Issue 2.
Alison Foster: a Chemist in the World of Plants
Alison Foster has combined her education in Chemistry with her love of plants to engage in some exciting projects at the University of Oxford Botanic Gardens. This Catalyst article gives a profile of her career choices, and introduces a public engagement activity called Chemistry in the Garden.
The article is from Catalyst: Secondary Science Review 2012, Volume 23, Issue 2.
Forests, Carbon and Climate
A Catalyst article about scientists who are only beginning to understand just how complex and fascinating the relationship between trees, the carbon cycle and climate really is. This article explores how aspects of the GCSE science course relate to the latest research. It also covers the relationship between trees and climate, respiration and carbon dioxide levels.
This article is from Catalyst: GCSE Science Review 2007, Volume 17, Issue 4.
Gardens in the Sky
This Catalyst article investigates how plants can be grown in orbiting spacecraft and how this may be useful in future manned space missions.
The article is from Catalyst: Secondary Science Review 2014, Volume 25, Issue 3.
Trapping Carbon Dioxide
A Catalyst article about increased levels of carbon dioxide causing global warming. The atmosphere is being polluted when fossil fuels such as petrol are burnt releasing carbon dioxide.
This article is from Catalyst: GCSE Science Review 2003, Volume 13, Issue 3.
Artificial Photosynthesis
This Catalyst article explains how artificial photosynthesis could provide a useful energy supply and reduce the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Experiments are underway in labs around the world.
This article is from Catalyst: GCSE Science Review 2011, Volume 21, Issue 3.
