Photosynthesis: what are chloroplasts?
ResourceIn this resource, part of the ‘Photosynthesis – A Survival Guide’ scheme for 11-14 pupils, students investigate chloroplasts and starch production, focusing on the learning objective “Light energy is absorbed by the green pigment in chloroplasts”.
Light energy is trapped by chlorophyll; a green pigment found in small organelles called chloroplasts. Parts of a plant that contain these chloroplasts can carry out photosynthesis because they can absorb the light energy for the reaction.
Students observe chloroplasts directly under the microscope using a plant such as Elodea pondweed.
Following this they take a thin section of potato tissue and stain it to show starch grains.
Students then use their knowledge to hypothesise how variegated leaves might affect a plant’s growth.
The resource includes teaching and technical notes, a Powerpoint presentation and a students’ worksheet.
![](https://s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/assets.saps.org.uk/content/uploads/2022/03/Chloroplast-diagram_resource.jpg)