Adaptations of plants for photosynthesis: absorbing light | Science

Starter quiz

Which two substances should appear before the arrow in the word summary of photosynthesis?
- carbon dioxide ✓
- glucose
- minerals
- oxygen
- water ✓
Which two substances should appear after the arrow in the word summary of photosynthesis?
- carbon dioxide
- glucose ✓
- minerals
- oxygen ✓
- water
In addition to carbon dioxide and water, what else is needed for photosynthesis to take place?
- carbohydrate plant food
- energy from a light source ✓
- nutrients from soil
- oxygen gas
Photosynthesis takes place inside the ______ that a plant’s leaves are made from.
- 'cells' ✓
Which part is only found in plant cells?
- cell membrane
- chloroplasts ✓
- cytoplasm
- nucleus
- mitochondria
In which part does photosynthesis take place?
- cell membrane
- chloroplasts ✓
- cytoplasm
- nucleus
- mitochondria

What is the name of the cell structure in which photosynthesis takes place in plant cells?
- 'chloroplasts' ✓
What is the role of light in photosynthesis?
- It is a product of photosynthesis.
- It is a reactant in photosynthesis.
- It is turned into food during photosynthesis.
- It transfers energy from a light source for photosynthesis. ✓
What substance inside chloroplasts absorbs light?
- 'chlorophyll' ✓
Which part of this leaf contains the most chlorophyll?
- Part A ✓
- Part B
- Part C
- Part D
In which part of this leaf will the most photosynthesis take place?
- Part A ✓
- Part B
- Part C
- Part D
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.”
- Jun: “It allows the leaf to absorb more light.” ✓
- Sofia: “A large surface area means light can pass through the leaf."

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

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.

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.