Photosynthesis in Higher Plants: Overview, Topics, MCQs, Books, Tips

Edited By Irshad Anwar | Updated on Oct 24, 2024 06:48 PM IST

Photosynthesis in Higher Plant chapter explains how light energy is converted to chemical energy within the plant using some of the key elements like chloroplast structure, pigment roles including chlorophyll, light reactions, and dark reactions. This is an important chapter of Biology in Class 11 CBSE. This article will help students prepare for competitive exams like NEET, AIIMS, nursing and paramedical. To answer the MCQs, assertion-reason questions, and application-based problems asked in this exam, a proper understanding of all these processes involved in photosynthesis is necessary. Know what are the important topics, an overview of the chapter with detailed process and mechanism, light reaction, dark reaction, C3 cycle or Calvin cycle, C4 cycle or hatch and slack pathway, photosynthesis in higher plants NEET PYQ, preparation tips, books, and much more.

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Important Topics of Photosynthesis in Higher Plants
Overview of the Chapter
Photosynthesis in Higher Plants
The Process of Photosynthesis in Higher Plants
Photosynthesis in Higher Plants NEET PYQ
Important Topics of Photosynthesis in Higher Plants for NEET and CBSE
Tips, Tricks, and Strategies for Preparing for Photosynthesis in Higher Plants
Types of Questions Asked on Photosynthesis in Higher Plants in Exams
Prescribed Books for Photosynthesis in Higher Plants
Recommended Video on Photosynthesis in Higher Plants

Photosynthesis in Higher Plants: Overview, Topics, MCQs, Books, Tips

Important Topics of Photosynthesis in Higher Plants

Photosynthesis
Light Reaction
Dark Reaction
Important Concepts - Calvin Cycle, C4 Cycle, Photophosphorylation

Overview of the Chapter

The Photosynthesis in Higher Plants chapter explains the process by which plants convert light energy into chemical energy in the form of glucose. The structure of chloroplasts, pigments involved in capturing light, and the steps of photosynthesis, including the light-dependent and light-independent reactions are discussed in this chapter. It also explains the C3, C4, and CAM pathways of carbon fixation, factors affecting photosynthesis, and the role of ATP and NADPH.

Photosynthesis in Higher Plants

Everyone is familiar with the basic principles of photosynthesis. Various processes are involved in photosynthesis in higher plants, but the principle remains the same. Sunlight is used for synthesizing organic compounds by this physicochemical process. As oxygen is released into the atmosphere, it compounds organic compounds.

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The process of photosynthesis uses light energy to synthesize organic compounds in green plants. It is an anabolic process regulated by enzymes.

Life on Earth depends on photosynthesis as it is the primary source of food, and it is responsible for releasing carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
The process of photosynthesis requires chlorophyll. It can only be found on the green parts of leaves and in the presence of light.

Chloroplasts are found in the mesophyll cells of the leaves, where photosynthesis occurs. Photosynthesis involves four pigments:

Chlorophyll a
Chlorophyll b
Xanthophylls
Carotenoids

Also Read:

The Process of Photosynthesis in Higher Plants

Photosynthesis in higher plants involves the following processes:

Light Reaction
Dark Reaction

Light Reaction

In the presence of light, this phenomenon occurs.
Light wavelengths are absorbed by pigments and ATP is produced.
Absorption of light, splitting of water, oxygen release, and formation of ATP and NADPH are all involved in the process.
A protein-bound pigment molecule from a light-harvesting complex is located within two different photosystems.
Antennae containing accessory pigments are attached to each photosystem's reaction centre, which consists of chlorophyll molecules.
It is P-700 for PS-I, as chlorophyll a has an absorption peak of 700 nm, while it is P-680 for PS-II, as chlorophyll a has an absorption peak of 680 nm.

Photophosphorylation

Photophosphorylation is the process by which light energy is used to produce ATP during photosynthesis. It occurs in the thylakoid membranes of chloroplasts.

The two types of photophosphorylation are:

Non-cyclic Photophosphorylation
Cyclic Photophosphorylation

The table indicates the main difference between Non-cyclic Photophosphorylation and Cyclic Photophosphorylation:

Feature	Non-cyclic Photophosphorylation	Cyclic Photophosphorylation
Photosystems Involved	Both PS-II and PS-I are involved	Only PS-I is involved
Light Absorption	PS-II absorbs light at 680 nm; PS-I absorbs light at 700 nm	PS-I absorbs light at 700 nm
Electron Flow	Electrons flow from PS-II to PS-I, then to NADP+	Electrons circulate within PS-I
Products	Produces ATP, NADPH+ H⁺, and O₂	Produces only ATP
Electron Return	Electrons lost by PS-II do not return (non-cyclic)	Electrons return to PS-I (cyclic)
Final Electron Acceptor	NADP+ (reduced to NADPH+ H⁺)	No external electron acceptor; electrons return to PS-I
Oxygen Production	Oxygen is produced as a byproduct	No oxygen is produced
Type of Flow	Linear (non-cyclic)	Cyclic

Dark Reaction

When there is no light, this process takes place in the chloroplast stroma. The process involves the following cycles:

Calvin Cycle (C3 Cycle)

The steps of this cycle include:

In a carbon-fixation process, ribulose-1, 5-bisphosphate combines with carbon dioxide to form 3-phosphoglyceric acid, a 3-carbon compound. In this process, a protein enzyme called RuBisCO is involved.
Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate is formed by the reduction of one molecule of carbon dioxide with two molecules of ATP and NADPH.
A series of reactions occur to form glucose from glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate molecules, and RuBP regenerates to continue the cycle.

C4 Cycle (Hatch and Slack Pathway)

The pathway follows a cycle.
Mesophyll cells and Bundle Sheath cells contain enzymes involved in the C4 pathway.
Through this pathway, plants produce a chemical compound containing four carbons from atmospheric carbon dioxide.
Carbon dioxide is primarily taken up by phosphoenolpyruvate, which is located in the mesophyll cells. Phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase is responsible for the reaction.
In the resulting mesophyll cells, aspartic acid and malic acid are formed and transported to the bundle sheath cells. Three-carbon molecules are released and carbon dioxide is released as a result of the breakdown of C4 acids.
They are then converted into phosphoenolpyruvate in the mesophyll cells and end the cycle.
Calvin's cycle is completed when carbon dioxide enters the bundle sheath cells.

Photorespiration

Photorespiration is a phenomenon in plants where, instead of using carbon dioxide for photosynthesis, the plant uses oxygen. It occurs when there is more oxygen and less carbon dioxide, typically in hot and dry conditions. The plant will, therefore, emit carbon dioxide but cannot produce any energy or sugar from the process, hence the whole process being inefficient and wasteful for the plant.

Photosynthesis in Higher Plant Class 11

You can download the CBSE class 11 notes for Chapter 13 Photosynthesis in Higher Plants in PDF format for free. Revision sheets for Photosynthesis in Higher Plants class 11 Notes Biology are available online so that you can score high on exams. Here are the class 11 notes on Photosynthesis in Higher Plants written by a team of expert teachers. The revision notes make it easy to revise the whole chapter in a few minutes. One of the best tips teachers recommend during exam time is reviewing notes.

NCERT Notes Subject Wise Link:

Photosynthesis in Higher Plants NEET PYQ

Given below are some NEET Previous year questions asked on photosynthesis in higher plants:

1. The process making the major difference between C3 and C4 plants is (NEET – II 2016)

A. respiration

B. Calvin cycle

C. photorespiration

D. glycolysis

Ans: Photorespiration

2. The stomatal opening is where water vapour leaves the plant leaf. During photosynthesis, carbon dioxide diffuses into the plant through the same stomatal opening. Choose one of the following explanations. (NEET – I 2016)

A. It is possible for both processes to occur simultaneously since the diffusion coefficient of water and CO2 differs

B. Both processes cannot happen simultaneously

C. One happens during the day and the other during the night

D. One happens during the day and one during the night

Ans: A. Both processes can happen together because the diffusion coefficient of water and CO2 is different

3. Emerson’s enhancement effect and Red drop have been instrumental in the discovery of (NEET – I 2016)

A. two photosystems operating simultaneously

B. oxidative phosphorylation

C. photophosphorylation and cyclic electron transport

D. photophosphorylation and non-cyclic electron transport

Ans: A. Two photosystems operating simultaneously

4. In Kranz anatomy, the bundle sheath cells have (Mains 2011)

A. thick walls, many intercellular spaces, and few chloroplasts

B. Small cells without intercellular spaces and several chloroplasts

C. Cell walls are thin, there are many intercellular spaces and there are no chloroplasts

D. thick walls, no intercellular spaces, and a large number of chloroplasts

Ans: D. thick walls, no intercellular spaces, and a large number of chloroplasts

Photosynthesis in Higher Plants NCERT PDF

The NCERT PDF of Class 11 Biology takes care of all the aspects related to photosynthesis in higher plants, by providing a solid ground for competitive exams. For a detailed study, the students are motivated to refer to the NCERT PDF for detailed explanations of the following:

Structure and function of chloroplasts.
ATP and NADPH are regarded as the currencies of energy for the Calvin cycle.
Photosynthesis-phosphorylation and its significance.

The students can download the photosynthesis in higher plants NCERT to get clarification on their assignments.

NCERT Books Link:

Important Topics of Photosynthesis in Higher Plants for NEET and CBSE

Photosynthesis in higher plants is an important chapter of Botany. The key topics from this chapter asked in NEET and CBSE exams are given below:

Calvin Cycle	Photorespiration
Light Dependent Reaction	Factor Affecting Photosynthesis
Photosynthetic pigments	Electron Transport System
Chemiosmosis Hypothesis	Cyclic Photophosphorylation

Photosynthesis in Higher Plants MCQ

Photosynthesis in higher plants is one of the important topics of Botany. It forms a regular question part of competitive exams, such as NEET, and AIIMS. Generally asked MCQ topics include:

Steps of the Calvin cycle
Identification of several types of pigments involved in photosynthesis.
It is the Z-scheme of electron transport in light reactions.

Preparation of these MCQs would make the students answer the questions rapidly and correctly in the examination hall.

NCERT Solutions Subject wise link:

Tips, Tricks, and Strategies for Preparing for Photosynthesis in Higher Plants

Here are some tips and tricks to prepare for photosynthesis in higher plants:

Mnemonics

One remembers the important intermediates of the Calvin cycle as "PGA-TCA", which stands for Phosphoglyceric Acid to Triose Phosphate.

Practice Exercises

Draw diagrams with the parts of the chloroplast along with their role in photosynthesis

Prepare flowcharts for the electron flow in the light reactions and carbon fixation steps in dark reactions

Multimedia

Watch the video and animations describing the Z-scheme and ATP synthesis in the light reactions.

Find simulations of how varying light intensity or CO₂ concentration influences the rate of photosynthesis.

Flashcards

Use flashcards to memorize words such as photophosphorylation, types of chlorophyll, and enzymatic function names like Rubisco.

NCERT Exemplar Solutions Subject wise link:

Types of Questions Asked on Photosynthesis in Higher Plants in Exams

The table below indicates the types of questions asked and the weightage of photosynthesis in higher plants in different exams:

Exam Type	Types of Questions	Weightage
CBSE	Short answer questions on the light reaction, Calvin cycle, C3 and C4 plants, and factors affecting photosynthesis	3-5%
NEET	MCQs on photophosphorylation, photosynthetic pigments, light and dark reactions, and pathways like C3, C4, CAM	2-3%
AIIMS	Assertion and reason questions on differences between C3 and C4 plants, photorespiration, and energy production	2-3%
Nursing Entrance Exams	Scenario-based questions on the significance of photosynthesis, human impact on plant growth, and crop yields	1-2%
Paramedical Exams	True/False and MCQs on photosynthetic processes, pigments, and factors influencing photosynthesis	1-3%

Prescribed Books for Photosynthesis in Higher Plants

The main and most recommended learning resource for photosynthesis in higher plants is the NCERT Biology class 11 textbook covering all concepts as per the CBSE syllabus. For further understanding, "Trueman's Elementary Biology, Volume 1" can be referred to. The other useful book is "Pradeep's Biology" which is also known for its detailed explanation and plenty of solved examples. You can access a variety of videos, articles and mock tests on this chapter from the careers360 platform.

Also Read:

Difference between Photooxidation and Photorespiration	Difference between Light and Dark Reaction
Difference between C3, C4 and CAM Pathway	Carbon Fixation
Photorespiration in C3 and C4 Plants	Emerson Enhancement Effect