Plant nutrition — IGCSE Biology (0970) questions by topic
Plant nutrition questions predict what happens to chlorophyll and leaf colour when magnesium ions are lacking, interpret a carbon dioxide concentration experiment using sodium hydrogencarbonate in an aquatic plant, identify where glucose is made in a labelled plant cell, and locate the chloroplast-packed cell layer in a leaf cross-section.
State, choose, identify, describe and explain span 1 to 28 marks, the widest range on this page, across 42 real questions from 2023 to 2025 papers. Because photosynthesis experiment questions depend on connecting a changed variable to its measurable effect, submitting a worked interpretation for instant marking flags whether that cause-and-effect link, rather than just the raw observation, has been stated clearly.
May–June 2025, Paper 11
A student drew a diagram to show the substances used and produced in photosynthesis in a leaf. The diagram shows a leaf with the note '1 + 2 are used by the leaf' above it and '3…
Answer this question and get it marked →The diagram shows a cross-section of part of a leaf. The diagram shows the internal tissues of a leaf. Region 1 (bracketed on the left) is a rounded group of small cells; region 2…
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2025, Paper 12
Which substances are used for photosynthesis? A carbon dioxide and glucose B carbon dioxide and water C glucose and oxygen D glucose and water
Answer this question and get it marked →What happens when a plant lacks magnesium ions? chlorophyll production colour of leaves produced --- --- --- A decreases green B decreases yellow C increases green D increases…
Answer this question and get it marked →The diagram shows part of a cross-section of a leaf, with three regions bracketed and numbered 1, 2 and 3 from top to bottom. Region 1 is a single layer of cells at the top…
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2025, Paper 21
Which descriptions of adaptations for photosynthesis are correct for spongy mesophyll tissue? air spaces for efficient gas exchange long, rectangular cells to absorb light --- ---…
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2025, Paper 22
A student investigated how the rate of photosynthesis is affected by carbon dioxide concentration, temperature and light intensity. The graphs show the results. Graph 1: rate of…
Answer this question and get it marked →The diagram shows a cross-section of part of a leaf. Cell X is in the upper layer of elongated, column-shaped cells packed with chloroplasts, just beneath the upper epidermis.…
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2025, Paper 31
A student investigated the effect of carbon dioxide concentration on the rate of photosynthesis in an aquatic plant. Sodium hydrogencarbonate was used to provide different…
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2025, Paper 32
Photosynthesis occurs in leaves. State the name of the structure in a plant cell where photosynthesis occurs.
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2024, Paper 11
The graph shows the results of an experiment that investigated the effect of light intensity on the rate of photosynthesis, with an x-axis and a y-axis. What are the labels for…
Answer this question and get it marked →Which substance is an ion that is used to make chlorophyll? A calcium B iron C magnesium D starch
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2024, Paper 21
The diagram shows an experiment to investigate the effect of increasing light intensity on the rate of photosynthesis in an aquatic plant (rate found by measuring bubble release).…
Answer this question and get it marked →The diagram shows a section through the leaf of a flowering plant with regions labelled 1, 2, 3 and 4. Where does photosynthesis take place? A 1 and 2 B 1 and 4 C 2 and 3 D 3 and 4
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2024, Paper 22
The diagram shows a plant cell with parts labelled: A vacuole, B chloroplast, C nucleus, D cell wall. In which labelled part of the cell is glucose made? A B C D
Answer this question and get it marked →Which sentence explains the importance of vascular bundles for photosynthesis? A Vascular bundles transport carbon dioxide to the leaf. B Vascular bundles transport oxygen to the…
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2024, Paper 32
State the word equation for photosynthesis.
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2024, Paper 42
Some algae are single-celled organisms that can photosynthesise. Their cells contain the pigment chlorophyll. State the name of one mineral ion that is needed to make chlorophyll.
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2024, Paper 51
Plan an investigation to determine the effect of light intensity on photosynthesis in an aquatic plant.
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2024, Paper 61
Plan an investigation to determine the effect of light intensity on photosynthesis in an aquatic plant.
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2024, Paper 12
The equation for photosynthesis is shown. ......1...... + ......2...... → glucose + ......3...... Which words correctly complete gaps 1, 2 and 3? 1 2 3 --- --- --- --- A carbon…
Answer this question and get it marked →The diagram shows a cross-section of a leaf with three structures labelled X, Y and Z. Which row shows the correct labels? palisade mesophyll cell spongy mesophyll cell stoma ---…
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2024, Paper 22
Which substance is needed to make chlorophyll and which part of the plant absorbs the substance? substance part of the plant where the substance is absorbed --- --- --- A calcium…
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2024, Paper 52
Photosynthesis occurs in chloroplasts. You are going to investigate the effect of light intensity on the rate of photosynthesis in a chloroplast suspension. The blue dye DCPIP can…
Answer this question and get it marked →A student investigates the effect of carbon dioxide concentration on the rate of photosynthesis using leaf discs. The student: • cuts 50 leaf discs from 5 leaves • puts 10 leaf…
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2024, Paper 62
Photosynthesis occurs in chloroplasts. You are going to investigate the effect of light intensity on the rate of photosynthesis in a chloroplast suspension. The blue dye DCPIP can…
Answer this question and get it marked →A student investigates the effect of carbon dioxide concentration on the rate of photosynthesis using leaf discs. The student: • cuts 50 leaf discs from 5 leaves • puts 10 leaf…
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2023, Paper 11
An experiment is set up to investigate gas exchange in aquatic plants. An aquatic plant is placed in hydrogencarbonate indicator solution in the light. The indicator solution is…
Answer this question and get it marked →How are most leaves adapted for photosynthesis? A They have a large surface area and are thick. B They have a large surface area and are thin. C They have a small surface area and…
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2023, Paper 12
Four test-tubes A–D are set up: A contains an aquatic animal and an aquatic plant in water with black polythene to keep out light; B, C and D contain combinations in the light.…
Answer this question and get it marked →Which row shows the uses of some carbohydrates in plants? Columns: glucose; starch; sucrose. A cell walls; transport; energy storage B energy storage; cell walls; respiration C…
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2023, Paper 21
An experiment is set up to investigate gas exchange in aquatic plants. An aquatic plant is placed in hydrogencarbonate indicator solution in the light. The indicator solution is…
Answer this question and get it marked →Certain factors are needed for photosynthesis. If a factor is in short supply, it limits the rate of photosynthesis. Which of these could be limiting factors? 1 carbon dioxide 2…
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2023, Paper 22
The diagram shows a leaf on a plant used in a photosynthesis experiment. At the start there is no starch in the leaf. A piece of black paper is attached to the upper surface, the…
Answer this question and get it marked →The graph shows the effect of temperature on the rate of photosynthesis. Which statement explains the change in rate of photosynthesis between 15 °C and 20 °C? A Chlorophyll is…
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2023, Paper 41
Fig. 4.1 shows the effect of light intensity on the rate of photosynthesis at different temperatures and concentrations of carbon dioxide: line A (25 °C, 0.4% CO2), line B (15 °C,…
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2023, Paper 12
Which features of a leaf allow more diffusion of carbon dioxide into the palisade cells for photosynthesis? Columns: number of stomata; thickness of the leaf. A few; thick B few;…
Answer this question and get it marked →The diagram shows a cell with groups of bacteria around its edge. The cell has a spiral-shaped chloroplast and cytoplasm. The bacteria have moved to areas of high oxygen…
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2023, Paper 22
The diagram shows how the rate of photosynthesis varies with light intensity. The four curves show different conditions of temperature and carbon dioxide concentration (30 °C 0.2%…
Answer this question and get it marked →The diagram shows a cell with groups of bacteria around its edge. The cell has a spiral-shaped chloroplast and cytoplasm. The bacteria have moved to areas of high oxygen…
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2023, Paper 32
A student investigated photosynthesis in a variegated leaf. A variegated leaf has a green part that contains a green pigment and a white part that does not contain the green…
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2023, Paper 42
A scientist investigated the effect of temperature on the rate of photosynthesis in one species of plant (photosynthesis involves enzyme-controlled reactions). Discs were cut from…
Answer this question and get it marked →Other IGCSE Biology topics
- Human nutrition (75)
- Organisms and their environment (64)
- Coordination and response (62)
- Reproduction (53)
- Organisation of the organism (cells) (50)
- Characteristics and classification of living organisms (40)
- Variation and selection (40)
- Transport in animals (39)
- Inheritance (39)
- Movement into and out of cells (38)
- Transport in plants (38)
- Respiration (32)