1. Plants and Minerals
Gr C: Explain the importance of Mg ions and N ions to plants.
Gr B: Analyse the effects of magnesium and nitrate ions deficiency.
Gr A: Create an investigation to test deficiency.
Entrance Activity
Discuss in groups how we can tell whether or not a plant is healthy or not?
Key Words
Magnesium ion
Nitrogen ion
Ammonium ion
Fertiliser
Deficiency

2. Fertiliser What are the advantages of using fertilisers?
Teacher Explanation
Fertiliser
Learning Activities
What are the advantages of using fertilisers?
A chemical used to enhance plant growth and/or health.
Fertilisers increase crop growth rate, producing a much healthier plant.
Improve total crop yield.
Natural Fertiliser: Animal manure and compost.
Artificial Fertiliser: NPK
(N) Nitrogen (P)Phosphorus (K) Potassium
What are the disadvantages of using fertilisers?
Fertiliser can affect the local habitat if it enters local streams and pools.
Causes algae blooms and increase the growth rate of some unwanted plants.

3. Magnesium Ions
Teacher explanation
Magnesium is absorbed from the soil as magnesium ions (Mg2+). Magnesium forms part of the chlorophyll molecule.
What do you think will happen to the plant without magnesium and how do you think it will appear?

4. Nitrogen Ions
Teacher explanation
Nitrogen is absorbed through the soil as nitrate ions (NO3-) or as ammonia ions (NH4+). Nitrogen is required for a lot of molecules in the plant, especially protein molecules. A deficiency in nitrogen causes the plant to turn a pale yellow. The plant will also become extremely weak and the leaves can begin to wilt and die.

5. Magnesium and Nitrogen
Learning Activity
Magnesium and Nitrogen
In one paragraph, summarise all of the information regarding nitrogen and magnesium in plants. Try to include:
What each nutrient is used for.
How the plant changes with deficiency.

6. Plants and Minerals
Gr C: Explain the importance of Mg ions and N ions to plants.
Gr B: Analyse the effects of magnesium and nitrate ions deficiency.
Gr A: Create an investigation to test deficiency.
Entrance Activity
Discuss in groups how we can tell whether or not a plant is healthy or not?
Key Words
Magnesium ion
Nitrogen ion
Ammonium ion
Fertiliser
Deficiency

7. Learning Activity
Look at the plants below and write a conclusion of the results. Compare the full nutrient plant, the –Mg plant, and the – N plant. Which is the healthiest and why?

8. Plants and Minerals
Gr C: Explain the importance of Mg ions and N ions to plants.
Gr B: Analyse the effects of magnesium and nitrate ions deficiency.
Gr A: Create an investigation to test deficiency.
Entrance Activity
Discuss in groups how we can tell whether or not a plant is healthy or not?
Key Words
Magnesium ion
Nitrogen ion
Ammonium ion
Fertiliser
Deficiency

9. Plants and Minerals
Gr C: Explain the importance of Mg ions and N ions to plants.
Gr B: Analyse the effects of magnesium and nitrate ions deficiency.
Gr A: Create an investigation to test deficiency.
Entrance Activity
Discuss in groups how we can tell whether or not a plant is healthy or not?
Key Words
Magnesium ion
Nitrogen ion
Ammonium ion
Fertiliser
Deficiency

10. Plenary What is hydrgoencarbonate used for? (1mark)
Exam play
Exam play
What is hydrgoencarbonate used for? (1mark)
Describe two methods of measuring the amount of photosynthesis taking place? (2 marks)
What is the function of a palisade cell, and how is it adapted for its function? (2 marks)
What is an independent variable? (1 mark)
Which variables need to be controlled when testing how light affects the rate of photosynthesis. (3 marks)