Nitrates WALT: state why nitrates are important and be able to analyse some data on minerals in plants

Last lesson, we learnt….. In order to survive, plants need ………… Plants are called producers because they ……………………………………. through ……………………… Today, we will look at one mineral in particular; nitrates. Produce their own food through photosynthesis

Nitrates Nitrates are needed to make proteins Just like in animals, proteins are needed by plants for……………….. Growth and repair Nitrates are obtained from the soil and absorbed through the roots in the water If the soil does not contain enough nitrates, farmers can use fertiliser (chemicals containing nitrates which are sprayed onto the soil)

The use of fertilisers can be a big problem if large amounts of nitrates run into rivers and streams. Can you think why? Algae in the water overgrows and makes the water green. This blocks the light for other plants in the water which die Fish and larger pond animals die Drinking water becomes polluted

This is a huge problem in Lake Naivasha

We are going to test the effect of different levels of nitrate on the growth of some cress seeds How will we do this? How will we keep it a fair test?

When you have set up your cress seeds Put a sub-heading in your books “KS3 Science: Life Processes” “P.42, 43 and 44” Answer the questions from the books in full sentences