Where food is made

The idea

The leaf is the primary site of photosynthesis, but other parts of a plant that have chlorophyll also perform photosynthesis.

Only the leaf?

We know leaves make food in sunlight, using chlorophyll. But a plant has other parts too: stems, roots, flowers.

Which parts of a plant do you think can make food?

• Only the leaves
• Any part that has chlorophyll
• Only the roots

Tap each part

Tap the leaf, the green stem and the root.

Chlorophyll decides

The leaf is the main place where photosynthesis happens. A green stem has chlorophyll too, so it also does photosynthesis. A root is not green.

The leaf is the primary site of photosynthesis, but other parts of a plant that have chlorophyll also perform photosynthesis.

Notes

The leaf is the primary site of photosynthesis, but other parts of a plant that have chlorophyll also perform photosynthesis.

Check yourself

Which part of a plant is the primary site of photosynthesis?

A young stem is green because it has chlorophyll. What can it do?

Why does a root not perform photosynthesis?

Which of these parts has chlorophyll?

• The leaf — correct. Yes! The leaf is the primary site.
• The root. The root has no chlorophyll. It takes up water from the soil.
• The stem only. A green stem can also do photosynthesis, but the leaf is the primary site.
• Nothing, only leaves can do photosynthesis. Other parts that have chlorophyll also perform photosynthesis.
• It can also perform photosynthesis — correct. Yes! It has chlorophyll.
• It can make food without sunlight. Photosynthesis needs sunlight, even in a green stem.
• It is too small. Size does not decide this. Chlorophyll does.
• It has no water. Roots take up water. The reason is that a root is not green and has no chlorophyll.
• It has no chlorophyll — correct. Yes! It is not green.
• A leaf and a green stem — correct. Yes! Both are green.
• Only a root. A root is not green.
• A root and the soil. A root is not green and the soil is not a plant part.