GCSE (9-1) Science - Key features - Topic 6 Plant structures and their functions

Oct 20, 2026

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GCSE (9-1) Science key features overview for GCSE Combined Science and the separate sciences Biology, Chemistry and Physics. Focuses on Topic 6: Plant structures and their functions, outlining what students should know and the highlighted maths opportunities. Includes details on photosynthesis and limiting factors, core practical investigations, and how plant structures such as root hair cells, xylem, phloem, stomata, and leaf adaptations support absorption, transport, and gas exchange. Summarizes assessment structure and paper topics.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages3

Reading Time8 min

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Key features

Topic 6 – Plant structures and their functions

Assessments at a glance

Science content across papers

GCSE Biology/Combined Science

Topics assessed in each biology paper

GCSE Chemistry/Combined Science

Topics assessed in each chemistry paper

GCSE Physics/Combined Science

Topics assessed across physics papers

GCSE (9-1) Science Key features Our four specifications in GCSE Combined Science, GCSE Biology, GCSE Chemistry and GCSE Physics are all laid out in the same way, with clear links to core practicals and mathematical skills throughout. Topic 6 – Plant structures and their functions Maths opportunities highlighted Clear command words Higher tier marked in bold | Students should: | Maths skills | | --- | --- | | 6.1 Describe photosynthetic organisms as the main producers of food and therefore biomass | | | 6.2 Describe photosynthesis in plants and algae as an endothermic reaction that uses light energy to react carbon dioxide and water to produce glucose and oxygen | | | 6.3 Explain the effect of temperature, light intensity and carbon dioxide concentration as limiting factors on the rate of photosynthesis
| 2c, 2d, 2g
4a, 4c | | 6.4 Explain the interactions of temperature, light intensity and carbon dioxide concentration in limiting the rate of
photosynthesis | 4b, 4c, 4d | | 6.5 Core Practical: Investigate the effect of light intensity on the rate of photosynthesis | 2c, 2f, 2g
4a, 4c | | 6.6 Explain how the rate of photosynthesis is directly proportional to light intensity and inversely proportional to the distance from a light source, including the use of the inverse square law calculation | 2g
3a
4a, 4b, 4c, 4d | | 6.7 Explain how the structure of the root hair cells is adapted to absorb water and mineral ions | | | 6.8 Explain how the structures of the xylem and phloem are adapted to their function in the plant, including:
a lignified dead cells in xylem transporting water and minerals through the plant
b living cells in phloem using energy to transport sucrose around the plant | | | 6.9 Explain how water and mineral ions are transported through the plant by transpiration, including the structure and function of the stomata | | | 6.10 Describe how sucrose is transported around the plant by translocation | | | 6.11B Explain how the structure of a leaf is adapted for photosynthesis and gas exchange | 2d
5c | Core practicals embedded in content Clear indication of separate Assessments at a glance The table below shows how we have structured our assessmentsin GCSE Combined Science and the separate sciences GCSE Biology, Chemistry and Physics. | | GCSE Combined Science | GCSE Biology
GCSE Chemistry
GCSE Physics | | --- | --- | --- | | Assessments | 2 biology papers
2 chemistry papers
2 physics papers
Each paper:
60 marks 1hr 10 mins | GCSE Biology: 2 papers
GCSE Chemistry: 2 papers
GCSE Physics: 2 papers
Each paper:
100 marks 1hr 45 mins | | Question types | multiple-choice questions, scaffolded and short answer questions, calculations, and extended open response questions | | | How is content split across the papers? | Papers are split according to topic, with half the content for each discipline in one paper (e.g. Biology 1) and half the content in the second paper (e.g. Biology 2) .
The first topic in each specification lists key ideas that maybe assessed in both paper 1 and paper 2. These are either fundamental ideas of the science, e.g. cells in Biology or atomic structure and bonding in Chemistry, or skills, e.g. handling units in Physics. | | All papers are available at foundation and higher tier. Foundation tier papers are for candidates aiming at grades 1-5. Higher tier papers are for candidates aiming at grades 4–9 (there is an allowed grade 3 for those candidates who just miss the passmark for the qualification) . Download our full exams guide at [quals.pearson.com/sciexamguide](quals.pearson.com/sciexamguide) science content 1 2 3 GCSE Biology/Combined Science Table showing topics assessed in each biology paper: | Paper 1 | Paper 2 | | --- | --- | | Key Concepts in Biology | Key Concepts in Biology | | Cells and Control | Plant structures and their functions | | Genetics | Animal coordination

FAQs

What core practical is included in Topic 6 on photosynthesis?

Students investigate the effect of light intensity on the rate of photosynthesis as a core practical embedded in the content.

How are temperature, light intensity, and carbon dioxide concentration used in Topic 6?

They are explained as limiting factors on the rate of photosynthesis, including how they interact to affect the overall limiting rate.

How do xylem and phloem structures match their functions in plants?

Xylem contains lignified dead cells that transport water and minerals, while phloem uses living cells to transport sucrose using energy around the plant.

Oct 20, 2026

Uploaded by Ivy