What is the role of the leaf in photosynthesis?
Activities Explain to pupils that the glucose formed is usually stored as starch and ask them about a test for starch. Demonstrate how this can be carried out on a leaf. Provide pupils with a variety of leaves, eg variegated leaves, leaves kept in the dark for a few days, leaves covered with cut-out templates, copper beech leaves, so they can investigate starch distribution. Discuss the results with pupils and ask them to explain their observations. Compile a summary of all the observations and establish that starch is stored in the green parts of leaves and those parts that have been exposed to light. Establish with pupils that the chlorophyll in plants enables them to absorb light, which is necessary for photosynthesis. Outcomes detect the presence of starch in a photosynthesising leaf and relate it to the presence of chlorophyll relate photosynthesis to exposure of the leaf to light, eg etiolation Objectives to test for the presence of starch in a leaf to heat flammable liquid safel
