Plants and photosynthesis

Learning Objectives
- Define photosynthesis and give the word and symbol
equation
- Explain how the plant uses glucose to make carbohydrates
and tissues.

Starter task
Sketch a basic plant and label the parts
What does each part do?
Plants

 In the same way as

animal have organs so do
plants.
TASK: Labels parts of the plant
Describe what each part does

Leaves
Roots
Stem
Flower/Fruit
Describe the structure and function of parts of
a plant
Choose the correct definition and add it to your diagram

Where photosynthesis happens

Where water and nutrients are absorbed

Water and nutrients are transported to other parts of the plant

Where seeds are produced

Keywords
 Roots
 Stem
 Flower
 Fruit
 Leaves
 Photosynthesis
 Glucose
 Roots

 Roots take up the water and

minerals from the soil
 They also anchor the plant in
the ground.
 Stem
 Stem contain xylem and
phloem.
 The xylem carries water and
mineral up the stem
 The phloem carries sugar
 The stem supports the plant.
 Leaves

 Contain palisade cell packed with

chloroplasts to absorb light for
photosynthesis
 The epidermis layer protects the
leaf and contains stomata to allow
gases in and out of the leaf.
 Flowers

 Flowers are the reproductive organ

of plants
 They typically have both male and
female parts.
 Main role is to attract insects for
pollination.
Why are plants so important to us?
Most of life on Earth would not exist without
plants
This is a food chain.

Plants grow using energy from

the sun. This provides food for
other animals.
Plants use energy to make
biomass
Energy is passed on from one
organism to another by
consumption of biomass.
What do plants need to grow?

Water (H2O)
Carbon dioxide (CO2)

Light
Chlorophyll- (this gives the
plant its green colour)
Photosynthesis produces…

Glucose (C6H12O6): This is a sugar, the plant stores

and uses this sugar to grow (as biomass)

Oxygen (O2): This is a gas which all living animals

need to breathe/respire
Can you write the word equation for
photosynthesis?
 Using energy from photosynthesis
The glucose produced by photosynthesis has many
uses in plants, such as for:
 energy release in respiration
 making cellulose for cell
walls
 combining with minerals to
make proteins and other
essential compounds
 an energy store in the
form of insoluble starch.
Stored in chloroplasts
Practical Investigation: Where is starch present in leaves?
 Quiz
1. What is the name of the process by which plants produce
their own nutrients?
2. Can you recall the word and symbol equation?
3. Explain why roots do not contain any chlorophyll
4. Name 3 things that plants use glucose for
5. Why is it better that plants store glucose as starch rather than
just glucose?
6. Can you think of 4 things that could affect how quickly
photosynthesis takes place?
 Answers
1. Photosynthesis
2. Carbon dioxide + water (light) glucose + oxygen
3. Roots do not contain chlorophyll as this is the pigment needed for
photosynthesis. Roots are usually below ground with no light, so
cannot photosynthesise
4. Respiration/store as carbohydrates/ make protein for new tissue/make
fats and oils
5. Glucose is soluble and reactive. Starch is insoluble and unreactive so
it can be used when it is needed.
6. Volume of carbon dioxide. Volume of water. Light intensity.
Temperature