New
New

Adaptations of plants for photosynthesis: absorbing light

You can describe how plants are adapted to absorb light for photosynthesis.

New
New

Adaptations of plants for photosynthesis: absorbing light

You can describe how plants are adapted to absorb light for photosynthesis.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Plant leaves are made up of cells that contain structures called chloroplasts.
  2. Photosynthesis takes place in chloroplasts.
  3. Chloroplasts contain chlorophyll, which absorbs light for photosynthesis.
  4. Plant leaves are thin to allow light to pass through to cells containing chloroplasts.
  5. Plant leaves have a large surface area to absorb light for photosynthesis.

Common misconception

Not appreciating the links between form and function in biological structures.

This lesson develops a key cross-cutting idea in biology: the shapes and forms of biological structures are adapted for specific functions.

Keywords

  • Chloroplast - Photosynthesis takes place in chloroplasts, which are small structures inside some plant cells.

  • Adaptation - A feature that helps an organism to function and survive.

  • Chlorophyll - A green substance inside chloroplasts that absorbs light for photosynthesis.

  • Surface area - The surface area of the top side of a leaf is the area through which light can be absorbed.

Task 2 could be done as a hands-on practical activity with real leaves and graph paper (or grids printed onto transparent OHP sheets).
Teacher tip

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

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6 Questions

Q1.
Which two substances should appear before the arrow in the word summary of photosynthesis?
An image in a quiz
Correct answer: carbon dioxide
glucose
minerals
oxygen
Correct answer: water
Q2.
Which two substances should appear after the arrow in the word summary of photosynthesis?
An image in a quiz
carbon dioxide
Correct answer: glucose
minerals
Correct answer: oxygen
water
Q3.
In addition to carbon dioxide and water, what else is needed for photosynthesis to take place?
An image in a quiz
carbohydrate plant food
Correct answer: energy from a light source
nutrients from soil
oxygen gas
Q4.
Photosynthesis takes place inside the that a plant’s leaves are made from.
Correct Answer: cells, plant cells
Q5.
Which part is only found in plant cells?
An image in a quiz
cell membrane
Correct answer: chloroplasts
cytoplasm
nucleus
mitochondria
Q6.
In which part does photosynthesis take place?
An image in a quiz
cell membrane
Correct answer: chloroplasts
cytoplasm
nucleus
mitochondria

6 Questions

Q1.
What is the name of the cell structure in which photosynthesis takes place in plant cells?
Correct Answer: chloroplasts, chloroplast
Q2.
What is the role of light in photosynthesis?
An image in a quiz
It is a product of photosynthesis.
It is a reactant in photosynthesis.
It is turned into food during photosynthesis.
Correct answer: It transfers energy from a light source for photosynthesis.
Q3.
What substance inside chloroplasts absorbs light?
Correct Answer: chlorophyll
Q4.
Which part of this leaf contains the most chlorophyll?
An image in a quiz
Correct answer: Part A
Part B
Part C
Part D
Q5.
In which part of this leaf will the most photosynthesis take place?
An image in a quiz
Correct answer: Part A
Part B
Part C
Part D
Q6.
Who correctly explains why leaves have a large surface area?
Andeep: “The surface area is large because leaves are thin.”
Jacob: “It allows them to take in more water.”
Correct answer: Jun: “It allows the leaf to absorb more light.”
Sofia: “A large surface area means light can pass through the leaf."

Lesson appears in

UnitScience / Plant nutrition and photosynthesis

Science