This document contains a complex exercise on metabolism. Amongst other things, it can a be used in preparation for an exam or as an exam itself. It focuses on epiphytic orchids as an application of typical high school biology knowledge on metabolism and in particular photosynthesis.

The exercise is tailored to require about 90 min of work when done in "one sitting" and in writing.

It includes the solutions and references to the following competencies:

General Competencies: 

-        I can purposefully extract information from written sources (reading comprehension).

-        I can make (a) fact(s) or circumstance(s) clear by describing the involved elements and pointing out causal correlations between them (explain).

-        I can give judgement by myself that is based on facts and logical conclusions (evaluate).

-        I can describe diagrams formally.

-        I can describe the data depicted in a diagram.

-        I can plan, conduct, and evaluate experiments to test a hypothesis.

Competencies on Metabolism:

-        I can explain the significance of ATP as a universal carrier of energy.

-        I can name the location where photosynthesis takes place.

-        I can describe the essential steps in substance and energy conversion during photosynthesis.

-        I can name significant subprocesses of photosynthesis, and I can explain the relation in which these subprocesses stand to each other

-        I can describe, analyze, and interpret graphical representations of abiotic factors influencing the process of photosynthesis or its subprocesses.

-        I can explain the significance of photosynthesis for life on Earth.

-        I can describe, analyze, and interpret graphical representations of abiotic factors influencing the process of cellular respiration or its subprocesses.