Master Science Revision & Practice Sheet

Unit 1: Photosynthesis, Leaf Structure, Mineral Nutrition & The Carbon Cycle

1. CORE CONCEPTS & SUMMARY NOTES

A. Photosynthesis & Food Making in Plants

• Definition: Photosynthesis is the chemical process by which plants convert solar (light) energy into chemical energy
(glucose).
• Organelle: Happens inside chloroplasts, which contain the green pigment chlorophyll to capture sunlight.
• Reactants: Water (H2O - absorbed from soil via roots) and Carbon Dioxide (CO2 - absorbed from air via stomata).
• Products: Glucose (C6H12O6) and Oxygen (O2).
• Organic vs Inorganic: Organic compounds contain Carbon and Hydrogen together (e.g., Glucose C6H12O6, Methane
CH4). Inorganic compounds do not (e.g., CO2, H2O, O2).
• Autotrophs: Organisms that make their own food (e.g., Plants, Algae, Protists, Autotrophic Bacteria).
• Heterotrophs: Organisms that cannot make their own food and feed on other organisms (e.g., Animals, Humans,
Fungi).
• Transpiration: The loss/removal of water vapor from plant leaves.

Word Equation: Water + Carbon Dioxide → Glucose + Oxygen (in presence of Light & Chlorophyll)
Chemical Equation: 6CO2 + 6H2O → C6H12O6 + 6O2

B. Leaf Anatomy & Function

Leaf Structure Adaptation / Function

Waxy Cuticle / Layer Waterproof layer on leaf surface; prevents leaf cells from drying out.

Upper Epidermis Thin, transparent outer cell layer; protects inner cells while letting light through.

Palisade Layer Contains tall cells packed with most of the chloroplasts; carries out most photosynthesis.

Spongy Layer Has loose cells with large air spaces to allow rapid diffusion of gases (CO2, O2).

Stomata (Singular: Stoma) Tiny pores mostly on the lower epidermis; allow diffusion of gases in/out of the leaf.

Veins (Xylem & Phloem) Carries water/minerals to leaf cells and transports sugars away to the rest of the plant.

C. Plant Minerals & Growth Requirements

• Magnesium (Mg2+): Needed to synthesize chlorophyll.
Deficiency: Leaves turn yellow between veins (condition known as Chlorosis); reduces photosynthesis.
• Nitrates (NO -): Contains Nitrogen (N) atoms required to combine with carbohydrates to form amino acids and
3
proteins for making new cells and plant growth.
Deficiency: Stunted plant growth, small yellowing leaves.
• Fertilisers & Yield: Farmers add fertilisers containing minerals to increase yield (total crop quantity harvested).
Modern farming uses GPS in tractor cabs to apply exact fertiliser quantities.

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 D. Respiration, Carbon Cycle & Fossil Fuels
• Respiration: Process in all living organisms (plants, animals, decomposers) that breaks down glucose with oxygen to
release energy.
Word Equation: Glucose + Oxygen → Carbon Dioxide + Water
• Decomposers: Bacteria and fungi break down dead organic matter and release CO2 back into the atmosphere via
respiration.
• Fossil Fuel Formation: Occurs when dead organisms decay in environments with no oxygen (anaerobic, e.g., deep
seabed or swamps). Heat and high pressure over millions of years convert them into:
◦ Coal: Formed from remains of ancient swamp plants.
◦ Oil & Natural Gas: Formed from ancient marine micro-organisms buried on sea beds.

• Combustion: Burning fossil fuels reacts carbon compounds with oxygen to release CO2 back into the air.
Equation: Fossil Fuel (Carbon) + Oxygen → Carbon Dioxide + Water

2. MASTER MCQ & QUESTION BANK (WITH SOLUTIONS)

MCQ 1 What is the primary organelle where photosynthesis takes place in a plant cell?
A) Mitochondria B) Chloroplast C) Nucleus D) Cell Wall
Correct Answer: B) Chloroplast
Explanation: Chloroplasts contain chlorophyll, which traps light energy from the sun to drive photosynthesis.

MCQ 2 What are the reactants required for photosynthesis?

A) Glucose and Oxygen B) Water and Carbon Dioxide C) Carbon Dioxide and Oxygen D) Glucose and Water
Correct Answer: B) Water and Carbon Dioxide
Explanation: Water is absorbed from the soil by roots and CO2 is absorbed from the air through stomata.

MCQ 3 Which pigment absorbs light energy during photosynthesis?

A) Hemoglobin B) Carotene C) Chlorophyll D) Xanthophyll
Correct Answer: C) Chlorophyll
Explanation: Chlorophyll is the green pigment inside chloroplasts responsible for capturing sunlight.

MCQ 4 Which layer of the leaf contains cells with the highest concentration of chloroplasts?
A) Upper Epidermis B) Spongy Layer C) Palisade Layer D) Lower Epidermis
Correct Answer: C) Palisade Layer
Explanation: The palisade layer cells are positioned near the upper surface and packed tightly with chloroplasts to perform maximum
photosynthesis.

MCQ 5 What is the main function of stomata in plant leaves?

A) Absorb water from soil B) Allow gas exchange (CO2 in, O2 out) C) Protect leaf from drying D) Store extra starch

Correct Answer: B) Allow gas exchange

Explanation: Stomata are tiny openings, mainly on the lower surface of leaves, that let carbon dioxide diffuse in and oxygen diffuse out.

MCQ 6 A plant showing yellow leaves and poor growth is most likely deficient in which mineral element?
A) Calcium B) Potassium C) Magnesium D) Phosphorus
Correct Answer: C) Magnesium
Explanation: Magnesium is required to make chlorophyll. Without sufficient magnesium, leaves lose green color (Chlorosis).

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 MCQ 7 Why do plants require nitrate ions from the soil?
A) To make starch B) To make proteins for growth C) To absorb sunlight D) To open stomata
Correct Answer: B) To make proteins for growth
Explanation: Nitrates supply nitrogen, which combines with carbohydrates (glucose) to form amino acids and proteins needed for new
cell growth.

MCQ 8 Which organism group is classified as an Autotroph?

A) Fungi B) Animals C) Algae D) Humans
Correct Answer: C) Algae
Explanation: Algae (along with green plants and protists) contain chlorophyll and make their own food via photosynthesis.

MCQ 9 What chemical test is used to check if a leaf has been photosynthesizing and making excess food?
A) Benedict's test for sugar B) Biuret test for protein C) Iodine test for starch D) Ethanol test for fat
Correct Answer: C) Iodine test for starch
Explanation: Extra glucose produced during photosynthesis is stored as insoluble starch. Iodine turns blue-black in the presence of
starch.

MCQ 10 Which process directly removes Carbon Dioxide (CO2) from the Earth's atmosphere?

A) Respiration B) Combustion C) Decomposition D) Photosynthesis

Correct Answer: D) Photosynthesis
Explanation: Photosynthesis is the primary natural process that removes carbon dioxide from the air and converts it into plant biomass.

MCQ 11 Coal was formed millions of years ago from the buried remains of which organisms?
A) Marine plankton B) Plants growing in large swamps C) Dinosaurs D) Soil bacteria
Correct Answer: B) Plants growing in large swamps
Explanation: Coal originated from ancient swamp trees/plants buried under sediments where lack of oxygen prevented normal decay.

MCQ 12 Oil and natural gas deposits were formed from:

A) Ancient forest trees B) Tiny marine organisms on sea beds C) Volcanic ash D) Desert plants
Correct Answer: B) Tiny marine organisms on sea beds
Explanation: Microscopic marine organisms died, settled on ocean beds, and under anaerobic conditions, high heat and pressure
formed oil and natural gas.

MCQ 13 The process of burning fossil fuels in oxygen to produce energy and release carbon dioxide is called:
A) Photosynthesis B) Combustion C) Transpiration D) Fermentation
Correct Answer: B) Combustion
Explanation: Combustion is the chemical reaction of a fuel with oxygen, releasing energy and returning carbon stored in fossil fuels to
the atmosphere as CO2.

MCQ 14 What percentage of the Earth's atmosphere is composed of Oxygen gas?

A) 0.04% B) 20% C) 78% D) 50%
Correct Answer: B) 20%
Explanation: Approximately 20% (or 21%) of atmospheric air is oxygen, largely produced and maintained by plant photosynthesis.

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3. STRUCTURED SHORT-ANSWER QUESTIONS & MODEL ANSWERS

Q1: Explain why leaf cells need to be boiled in ethanol before performing the iodine starch test.
Model Answer: Boiling in water breaks the cell membrane. Boiling in ethanol removes the green pigment chlorophyll. Removing
chlorophyll turns the leaf white/pale so that any color change of iodine (from brown to blue-black) can be clearly seen.

Q2: Distinguish between the functions of the Palisade Layer and Spongy Layer in a leaf cross-section.
Model Answer:
• Palisade Layer: Located near upper surface, tightly packed tall cells rich in chloroplasts; specialized for absorbing light and
conducting maximum photosynthesis.
• Spongy Layer: Loosely arranged cells with large air spaces; specialized for gas exchange (CO2, O2, H2O vapor) throughout the
leaf.

Q3: Describe how decomposers (bacteria and fungi) contribute to the Carbon Cycle.
Model Answer: Decomposers feed on dead organic matter (dead plants and animals) and animal wastes. As they digest this matter,
they carry out cellular respiration, which breaks down glucose and releases carbon back into the atmosphere as carbon dioxide
(CO2).

Q4: Why are oxygen-free (anaerobic) conditions necessary for fossil fuel formation?
Model Answer: In the absence of oxygen, decomposers (bacteria and fungi) cannot respire or break down dead plant/animal tissue.
Therefore, organic matter remains intact, gets buried under sediments, and is transformed over millions of years by high temperature
and pressure into fossil fuels (coal, oil, gas).

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