Year 7 Biology: Photosynthesis, Producers, and Consumers

Understanding Photosynthesis, Producers, and Consumers

What is Photosynthesis?

Photosynthesis is the process plants use to make their own food. It occurs in the leaves, specifically in cells containing a green pigment called chlorophyll. This process requires sunlight, carbon dioxide from the air, and water from the soil. During photosynthesis, plants produce glucose (a type of sugar) and release oxygen into the air. The basic equation for photosynthesis is:

Carbon Dioxide + Water + Sunlight → Glucose + Oxygen

Producers and Consumers

In ecosystems, organisms are classified into producers, consumers, and decomposers.

• Producers: Plants are producers because they make their own food through photosynthesis. They form the base of the food chain and provide energy for all other organisms.
• Consumers: Animals are consumers because they cannot make their own food. They depend on producers or other animals for energy. Consumers are further classified as:
• Herbivores: Eat plants only.
• Carnivores: Eat other animals.
• Omnivores: Eat both plants and animals.

Questions on Photosynthesis, Producers, and Consumers for Year 7 – Key Stage 3 Biology

Easy Questions

1. What process do plants use to make their own food?
2. Where in the plant does photosynthesis mainly take place?
3. What green pigment helps plants absorb sunlight?
4. What gas do plants take in during photosynthesis?
5. What gas do plants release during photosynthesis?
6. What type of sugar is produced by photosynthesis?
7. True or False: Only plants can perform photosynthesis.
8. What is a producer?
9. Why are plants called producers?
10. What do herbivores eat?
11. Name one example of a producer.
12. What is the main source of energy for photosynthesis?
13. True or False: Consumers can make their own food.
14. What is a consumer?
15. What is the primary role of producers in the food chain?
16. Name one example of a consumer.
17. What do carnivores eat?
18. What do omnivores eat?
19. True or False: Humans are consumers.
20. What is chlorophyll’s role in photosynthesis?

Medium Questions

1. Explain why photosynthesis is important for plants.
2. Describe the main inputs needed for photosynthesis.
3. Why do animals depend on plants for survival?
4. What is the basic equation for photosynthesis?
5. Explain why producers are essential in an ecosystem.
6. What is the role of chlorophyll in photosynthesis?
7. How does water reach the leaves of plants?
8. Why do herbivores need producers?
9. What role do omnivores play in the ecosystem?
10. Explain why plants release oxygen during photosynthesis.
11. How is energy transferred from producers to consumers?
12. Why are humans considered omnivores?
13. Name two types of consumers.
14. How do carnivores indirectly depend on producers?
15. Describe one way producers and consumers are different.
16. Why does photosynthesis only happen during the day?
17. What might happen to consumers if there were no producers?
18. How does carbon dioxide enter the leaves of plants?
19. Explain the importance of oxygen produced in photosynthesis.
20. What is one effect of photosynthesis on the environment?

Hard Questions

1. Describe the detailed process of photosynthesis in plants.
2. Explain the role of stomata in photosynthesis.
3. How do producers contribute to the oxygen level in the atmosphere?
4. Why is chlorophyll essential for photosynthesis?
5. Explain why photosynthesis is an energy-storing process.
6. What would happen to the food chain if producers were removed?
7. How do plants balance oxygen and carbon dioxide in the environment?
8. Why might some plants have more chlorophyll than others?
9. Explain how photosynthesis affects the global carbon cycle.
10. How do seasons affect the rate of photosynthesis?
11. What adaptations help leaves maximise photosynthesis?
12. Explain the relationship between photosynthesis and cellular respiration.
13. How does light intensity affect the rate of photosynthesis?
14. Why do scientists consider photosynthesis crucial for life on Earth?
15. Explain why energy flow in an ecosystem starts with producers.
16. Describe how glucose produced in photosynthesis is used by the plant.
17. Why are ecosystems with diverse producers more stable?
18. How do consumers rely on decomposers as well as producers?
19. Explain why herbivores play a critical role in energy transfer.
20. How does human activity impact photosynthesis on a large scale?

Answers with Explanations

Easy Answers

1. Photosynthesis.
2. In the leaves.
3. Chlorophyll.
4. Carbon dioxide.
5. Oxygen.
6. Glucose.
7. True. Only plants (and some algae) can perform photosynthesis.
8. A producer is an organism that makes its own food.
9. Plants make their own food through photosynthesis, so they are called producers.
10. Herbivores eat plants.
11. An example of a producer is a tree.
12. The sun.
13. False. Consumers cannot make their own food.
14. A consumer is an organism that eats other organisms for energy.
15. Producers provide energy for all other organisms in the food chain.
16. A rabbit is an example of a consumer.
17. Carnivores eat other animals.
18. Omnivores eat both plants and animals.
19. True. Humans eat plants and animals, making them consumers.
20. Chlorophyll absorbs sunlight for photosynthesis.

Medium Answers

1. Photosynthesis allows plants to create food to grow and survive.
2. Photosynthesis needs sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide.
3. Animals depend on plants for oxygen and food.
4. Carbon Dioxide + Water + Sunlight → Glucose + Oxygen
5. Producers provide energy for the food chain.
6. Chlorophyll captures sunlight energy for the plant.
7. Water travels from roots to leaves through the stem.
8. Herbivores eat plants for energy.
9. Omnivores help spread energy by eating both plants and animals.
10. Plants produce oxygen as a by-product of photosynthesis.
11. Consumers eat plants or animals that have eaten plants.
12. Humans eat both plants and animals.
13. Two types of consumers are herbivores and carnivores.
14. Carnivores eat herbivores, which eat producers.
15. Producers make food; consumers eat food.
16. Photosynthesis needs sunlight, so it occurs during the day.
17. Consumers would struggle to survive without producers.
18. Carbon dioxide enters leaves through small openings called stomata.
19. Oxygen from photosynthesis is needed by animals for breathing.
20. Photosynthesis cleans the air by absorbing carbon dioxide.

Hard Answers

1. Photosynthesis occurs in chloroplasts, using chlorophyll to convert sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water into glucose and oxygen.
2. Stomata are small pores that allow gas exchange, letting carbon dioxide in and oxygen out.
3. Producers release oxygen into the atmosphere during photosynthesis.
4. Chlorophyll absorbs light, which is needed to produce food in photosynthesis.
5. Photosynthesis captures sunlight energy, storing it as chemical energy in glucose.
6. If producers were removed, the food chain would collapse.
7. Plants produce oxygen and take in carbon dioxide, balancing gases in the environment.
8. Plants in low-light environments may have more chlorophyll to capture light.
9. Photosynthesis absorbs carbon dioxide, helping control the Earth’s carbon levels.
10. Photosynthesis rates are lower in winter due to less light.
11. Broad, flat leaves and chlorophyll help maximise sunlight capture.
12. Photosynthesis creates glucose; cellular respiration releases its energy.
13. Photosynthesis rates increase with more light until they reach a maximum level.
14. Photosynthesis provides oxygen and food, supporting most life on Earth.
15. Producers convert sunlight into energy that feeds the whole ecosystem.
16. Glucose is used for growth, storage, and energy in plants.
17. Ecosystems with many producers are more resilient to changes.
18. Consumers rely on decomposers to recycle nutrients back to producers.
19. Herbivores transfer energy from plants to higher food chain levels.
20. Deforestation and pollution reduce photosynthesis, affecting ecosystems.

This structure provides a comprehensive understanding of photosynthesis, producers, and consumers, tailored for Year 7 students. The questions progress in difficulty, enhancing learning and preparing students