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Plants, leaves & photosynthesis
Explore how roots, stems, leaves and flowers support plant growth and photosynthesis. Review suitability for your learners before teaching.
Worksheet StudioPractice pack · Ages 7-9
Plants, leaves & photosynthesis
Take your time. Show your thinking.
1. Why do plants need magnesium ions from the soil: to make green chlorophyll, or to attract wind?
2. What sugar do plants produce during photosynthesis to use for energy and growth (or store as starch): glucose or lactose?
3. Why do plants need nitrate ions from the soil: to make amino acids and proteins for cell growth, or to freeze water?
4. Which part of a flower produces and holds the pollen grains: the anther (stamen) or the sepal?
5. Which vascular tissue carries sugars made in the leaves to the rest of the plant: phloem or bark?
6. What is the transfer of pollen from the anther (male part) to the stigma (female part) of a flower called: pollination or germination?
7. How are coconut seeds adapted to travel between tropical islands: they float on ocean currents, or they attach to bird feathers?
8. In which main plant organ does most photosynthesis take place: the leaves or the roots?
9. Why do many insect-pollinated flowers have brightly coloured petals and sweet nectar: to attract pollinators, or to absorb soil water?
10. What is the role of the green sepals on the outside of a flower bud: to protect the unopened flower bud, or to absorb soil nitrates?
11. What green pigment inside plant chloroplasts absorbs light energy for photosynthesis: chlorophyll or haemoglobin?
12. What chemical reagent turns blue-black when added to a leaf that contains stored starch: iodine solution or pure water?
12 questions · Seed 48 · Age guidance, not curriculum certification
View the answer key
Worksheet StudioAnswer key · Ages 7-9
Plants, leaves & photosynthesis
Answers and reasoning. Review before teaching.
1. Why do plants need magnesium ions from the soil: to make green chlorophyll, or to attract wind?
To make green chlorophyllMagnesium is the central atom in every chlorophyll molecule; deficiency causes yellow leaves (chlorosis).
2. What sugar do plants produce during photosynthesis to use for energy and growth (or store as starch): glucose or lactose?
GlucosePhotosynthesis synthesises glucose (C₆H₁₂O₆), which plants use in respiration or convert to starch and cellulose.
3. Why do plants need nitrate ions from the soil: to make amino acids and proteins for cell growth, or to freeze water?
To make amino acids and proteins for cell growthPlants combine glucose with nitrogen from nitrates to synthesise amino acids and proteins.
4. Which part of a flower produces and holds the pollen grains: the anther (stamen) or the sepal?
Anther (stamen)The stamen is the male part of the flower, consisting of a filament supporting the pollen-producing anther.
5. Which vascular tissue carries sugars made in the leaves to the rest of the plant: phloem or bark?
PhloemPhloem translocates dissolved sugars from leaves to growing roots, fruits and seeds.
6. What is the transfer of pollen from the anther (male part) to the stigma (female part) of a flower called: pollination or germination?
PollinationPollination transfers pollen grains by insects, birds or wind so fertilisation can occur.
7. How are coconut seeds adapted to travel between tropical islands: they float on ocean currents, or they attach to bird feathers?
They float on ocean currentsA coconut’s fibrous, air-filled husk makes it buoyant and waterproof in seawater.
8. In which main plant organ does most photosynthesis take place: the leaves or the roots?
LeavesBroad green leaves capture sunlight and carbon dioxide for photosynthesis.
9. Why do many insect-pollinated flowers have brightly coloured petals and sweet nectar: to attract pollinators, or to absorb soil water?
To attract pollinatorsBees and butterflies visit for nectar and carry pollen between flowers.
10. What is the role of the green sepals on the outside of a flower bud: to protect the unopened flower bud, or to absorb soil nitrates?
To protect the unopened flower budSepals enclose and protect the developing petals before the flower opens.
11. What green pigment inside plant chloroplasts absorbs light energy for photosynthesis: chlorophyll or haemoglobin?
ChlorophyllChlorophyll absorbs mainly red and blue light and reflects green light.
12. What chemical reagent turns blue-black when added to a leaf that contains stored starch: iodine solution or pure water?
Iodine solutionYellow-brown iodine solution turns blue-black in the presence of starch.
12 questions · Seed 48 · Age guidance, not curriculum certification
Worksheet StudioPractice pack · Ages 7-9
Plants, leaves & photosynthesis
Take your time. Show your thinking.
1. Why do plants need magnesium ions from the soil: to make green chlorophyll, or to attract wind?
2. What sugar do plants produce during photosynthesis to use for energy and growth (or store as starch): glucose or lactose?
3. Why do plants need nitrate ions from the soil: to make amino acids and proteins for cell growth, or to freeze water?
4. Which part of a flower produces and holds the pollen grains: the anther (stamen) or the sepal?
5. Which vascular tissue carries sugars made in the leaves to the rest of the plant: phloem or bark?
6. What is the transfer of pollen from the anther (male part) to the stigma (female part) of a flower called: pollination or germination?
7. How are coconut seeds adapted to travel between tropical islands: they float on ocean currents, or they attach to bird feathers?
8. In which main plant organ does most photosynthesis take place: the leaves or the roots?
9. Why do many insect-pollinated flowers have brightly coloured petals and sweet nectar: to attract pollinators, or to absorb soil water?
10. What is the role of the green sepals on the outside of a flower bud: to protect the unopened flower bud, or to absorb soil nitrates?
11. What green pigment inside plant chloroplasts absorbs light energy for photosynthesis: chlorophyll or haemoglobin?
12. What chemical reagent turns blue-black when added to a leaf that contains stored starch: iodine solution or pure water?
12 questions · Seed 48 · Age guidance, not curriculum certification
Worksheet StudioAnswer key · Ages 7-9
Plants, leaves & photosynthesis
Answers and reasoning. Review before teaching.
1. Why do plants need magnesium ions from the soil: to make green chlorophyll, or to attract wind?
To make green chlorophyllMagnesium is the central atom in every chlorophyll molecule; deficiency causes yellow leaves (chlorosis).
2. What sugar do plants produce during photosynthesis to use for energy and growth (or store as starch): glucose or lactose?
GlucosePhotosynthesis synthesises glucose (C₆H₁₂O₆), which plants use in respiration or convert to starch and cellulose.
3. Why do plants need nitrate ions from the soil: to make amino acids and proteins for cell growth, or to freeze water?
To make amino acids and proteins for cell growthPlants combine glucose with nitrogen from nitrates to synthesise amino acids and proteins.
4. Which part of a flower produces and holds the pollen grains: the anther (stamen) or the sepal?
Anther (stamen)The stamen is the male part of the flower, consisting of a filament supporting the pollen-producing anther.
5. Which vascular tissue carries sugars made in the leaves to the rest of the plant: phloem or bark?
PhloemPhloem translocates dissolved sugars from leaves to growing roots, fruits and seeds.
6. What is the transfer of pollen from the anther (male part) to the stigma (female part) of a flower called: pollination or germination?
PollinationPollination transfers pollen grains by insects, birds or wind so fertilisation can occur.
7. How are coconut seeds adapted to travel between tropical islands: they float on ocean currents, or they attach to bird feathers?
They float on ocean currentsA coconut’s fibrous, air-filled husk makes it buoyant and waterproof in seawater.
8. In which main plant organ does most photosynthesis take place: the leaves or the roots?
LeavesBroad green leaves capture sunlight and carbon dioxide for photosynthesis.
9. Why do many insect-pollinated flowers have brightly coloured petals and sweet nectar: to attract pollinators, or to absorb soil water?
To attract pollinatorsBees and butterflies visit for nectar and carry pollen between flowers.
10. What is the role of the green sepals on the outside of a flower bud: to protect the unopened flower bud, or to absorb soil nitrates?
To protect the unopened flower budSepals enclose and protect the developing petals before the flower opens.
11. What green pigment inside plant chloroplasts absorbs light energy for photosynthesis: chlorophyll or haemoglobin?
ChlorophyllChlorophyll absorbs mainly red and blue light and reflects green light.
12. What chemical reagent turns blue-black when added to a leaf that contains stored starch: iodine solution or pure water?
Iodine solutionYellow-brown iodine solution turns blue-black in the presence of starch.
12 questions · Seed 48 · Age guidance, not curriculum certification