Adaptations of plants for photosynthesis: absorbing light
You can describe how plants are adapted to absorb light for photosynthesis.
Adaptations of plants for photosynthesis: absorbing light
You can describe how plants are adapted to absorb light for photosynthesis.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Switch to our new teaching resources now - designed by teachers and leading subject experts, and tested in classrooms.
These resources were created for remote use during the pandemic and are not designed for classroom teaching.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- 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.
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.
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.
Equipment
Licence
Lesson video
Loading...
Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which two substances should appear before the arrow in the word summary of photosynthesis?
Q2.Which two substances should appear after the arrow in the word summary of photosynthesis?
Q3.In addition to carbon dioxide and water, what else is needed for photosynthesis to take place?
Q4.Photosynthesis takes place inside the that a plant’s leaves are made from.
Q5.Which part is only found in plant cells?
Q6.In which part does photosynthesis take place?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What is the name of the cell structure in which photosynthesis takes place in plant cells?
Q2.What is the role of light in photosynthesis?
Q3.What substance inside chloroplasts absorbs light?
Q4.Which part of this leaf contains the most chlorophyll?
Q5.In which part of this leaf will the most photosynthesis take place?
Q6.Who correctly explains why leaves have a large surface area?
