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  1. Science
  2. Year 7
  3. Plants
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Photosynthesis

In this worksheet, students will consider in more depth the process of food production, for example the conditions and materials needed in photosynthesis, as well as the scientific equation.

'Photosynthesis' worksheet

Key stage:  KS 3

Curriculum topic:   Biology: Material Cycles and Energy

Curriculum subtopic:   Photosynthesis

Difficulty level:  

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Worksheet Overview

QUESTION 1 of 10

Leaves

 

Plants produce their own food by a process called photosynthesis. The green colour we see in leaves is due to a pigment called chlorophyll. Chlorophyll combines water and a gas (carbon dioxide) using light to make sugar (glucose) and oxygen.

water + carbon dioxide + (light) → glucose + oxygen

Plants are sensitive to light because they need light to photosynthesise.

 

Which THREE of these observations best describes plants grown in the dark?

 

Flowers on long stalks

the stem is long

the leaves are brown

the stem is weak and cannot support the leaves

the leaves are pale green

the seed does not germinate

Sugars are produced in which plant cells?

root hairs

cells in the leaf

cells in the stem

carpel

Which part of the plant transports food to all other plant parts?

stamen

sepal

stem

seed

The green pigment in leaves is called... 

carbon dioxide

chlorophyll

chlorine

chloroform

Variegated leaf

 

This is a variegated ivy leaf. The outside is green and the inside is pale yellow.

 

In which area would you expect sugar to be produced by photosynthesis?

inside

outside

Which gas does the plant combine with water to make sugars?

nitrogen

oxygen

carbon dioxide

chlorine

Which gas is produced as a waste product of photosynthesis?

oxygen

carbon dioxide

methane

hydrogen

What are missing in the equation for photosynthesis?

water +
A
+ (light) →
B
+ oxygen

 

Write your answer below.

 Answer
A
B

The Amazon rainforest is referred to as the 'lungs of the world'.

 

Which statement best describes this metaphor?

the trees produce a large proportion of the world's oxygen

the rainforest is the same shape as human lungs

the trees produce the largest proportion of the world's carbon dioxide

the trees work harder when the world needs more oxygen

Emily germinates some seeds in soil. She gives them water and warmth, but keeps them in a dark cupboard for several weeks.

 

From this list, predict what will happen to Emily's plants.

they will have yellow leaves

they will grow tall and weak

they will be healthy and strong

they will die

  • ANSWERS
  • Question 1

Plants are sensitive to light because they need light to photosynthesise.

 

Which THREE of these observations best describes plants grown in the dark?

 

Flowers on long stalks

CORRECT ANSWER
the stem is long
the stem is weak and cannot support the leaves
the leaves are pale green
EDDIE SAYS
Plants grow towards light and become weak and pale if they are deprived of this energy source.
  • ANSWERS
  • Question 2

Sugars are produced in which plant cells?

CORRECT ANSWER
cells in the leaf
EDDIE SAYS
The cells in the leaves are primarily responsible for sugar production. That's one reason that leaves are often broad and take up a lot of the total space occupied by a plant. The cells in many plant stems do contribute to this sugar production, but the bulk of it by far is the job of the leaves.
  • ANSWERS
  • Question 3

Which part of the plant transports food to all other plant parts?

CORRECT ANSWER
stem
EDDIE SAYS
The stem carries food around the plant and transports water and minerals from the roots to the leaves and flowers.
  • ANSWERS
  • Question 4

The green pigment in leaves is called... 

CORRECT ANSWER
chlorophyll
EDDIE SAYS
Chlorophyll (pronounced CLAW-ROW-FILL) is truly one of the most important chemicals on planet Earth. It is single-handedly responsible for food production and oxygen production. I'd called that slightly important!
  • ANSWERS
  • Question 5

Variegated leaf

 

This is a variegated ivy leaf. The outside is green and the inside is pale yellow.

 

In which area would you expect sugar to be produced by photosynthesis?

CORRECT ANSWER
outside
EDDIE SAYS
The outside of the leaf contains chlorophyll, the pigment in which photosynthesis takes place.
  • ANSWERS
  • Question 6

Which gas does the plant combine with water to make sugars?

CORRECT ANSWER
carbon dioxide
EDDIE SAYS
Photosynthesis is amazing: a simple gas from the air plus water make food (sugar)! Carbon dioxide is that gas and all the carbon atoms in our food come from there. Maybe planting more trees might help to remove some of the carbon dioxide that is causing climate change....??
  • ANSWERS
  • Question 7

Which gas is produced as a waste product of photosynthesis?

CORRECT ANSWER
oxygen
EDDIE SAYS
IIt is wonderful that the WASTE from photosynthesis is a gas that sustains life! Life, as we know it, would not be possible without plants producing oxygen. Remember that plants also need oxygen to respire (release energy from sugars).
  • ANSWERS
  • Question 8

What are missing in the equation for photosynthesis?

water +
A
+ (light) →
B
+ oxygen

 

Write your answer below.

CORRECT ANSWER
 Answer
A
B
EDDIE SAYS
A is the gas carbon dioxide and B is the sugar glucose are missing.
Remember, light is also needed but as this is not a substance it doesn't go in the equation. Sometimes it is written above the arrow sign.
  • ANSWERS
  • Question 9

The Amazon rainforest is referred to as the 'lungs of the world'.

 

Which statement best describes this metaphor?

CORRECT ANSWER
the trees produce a large proportion of the world's oxygen
EDDIE SAYS
Because the Amazon covers a huge area of land (though sadly getting smaller daily because of human activity) oxygen produced by the trees travels all around the world! In addition, the tiny plant plankton living in the top layer of the world's oceans produce an enormous proportion of the world's oxygen.
  • ANSWERS
  • Question 10

Emily germinates some seeds in soil. She gives them water and warmth, but keeps them in a dark cupboard for several weeks.

 

From this list, predict what will happen to Emily's plants.

CORRECT ANSWER
they will die
EDDIE SAYS
Without light after germination, the seedlings will not be able to make food in their yellow leaves. Just like animals, without food, plants die. Some food is stored in the seed, but not enough to sustain the plant for very long - the leaves must begin to photosynthesise which, without light, they cannot do.
---- OR ----

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