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Syllabus

Photosynthesis in Higher Plants — Syllabus

ICSE · Class 11 · Biology

What Photosynthesis in Higher Plants covers in ICSE Class 11 Biology: 4 topics, for the 2026-27 session. Part of the ICSE Class 11 Biology syllabus.

60 questions54 flashcards5 formulas & key relations5 concepts

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A detailed, labeled cross-section diagram of a chloroplast, showing its double membrane, stroma, thylakoids, grana (stacks of thylakoids), and stroma lamellae, highlighting the sites of light and dark
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4 Topics · ICSE Class 11 Biology · 2026-27

Topics in Photosynthesis in Higher Plants

1

1. Landmarks in the Study of Photosynthesis

  • Aristotle and Theophrastus believed plants absorb all materials directly from the soil.
  • Van Helmont grew a willow seedling in weighed soil for five years and concluded that water contributes to plant growth.
  • Stephen Hales recognised the importance of air and light in plant nutrition.
2

2. Chloroplast: Site of Photosynthesis

  • The entire photosynthetic machinery lies in the chloroplast, the green plastid.
  • In higher plants, chloroplasts are disc-shaped, 4-10 µm long and 1-3 µm broad.
  • There are usually 20-40 chloroplasts per cell in higher plants.
3

3. Pigments Involved in Photosynthesis

  • Chlorophylls and carotenoids are the two major groups of pigments in higher plants.
  • Pigments absorb certain wavelengths of visible light.
  • Chlorophyll a is the primary photosynthetic pigment.
4

4. Nature of Light, Absorption Spectrum, and Action Spectrum

  • Visible light lies between 390 nm and 763 nm.
  • Blue light carries more energy per photon than red light because photon energy is inversely proportional to wavelength.
  • A pigment molecule absorbs only one photon at a time.

Key Concepts

Central concept: Photosynthesis as the light energy trapping process that converts light energy into chemical energy in green cells

Meaning and significance of photosynthesisHistorical landmarksChloroplast as the site of photosynthesisPigments involved in photosynthesisLight reactionChemiosmotic hypothesisDark reactionCalvin cycle

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the important topics in Photosynthesis in Higher Plants for ICSE Class 11 Biology?
Key topics in Photosynthesis in Higher Plants include Landmarks in the Study of Photosynthesis, Chloroplast: Site of Photosynthesis, Pigments Involved in Photosynthesis, Nature of Light, Absorption Spectrum, and Action Spectrum. Study these first, then practise questions on each for Class 11 exams.
How should I revise Photosynthesis in Higher Plants for Class 11 exams?
Learn the core ideas first, then work through the 60 practice questions on Photosynthesis in Higher Plants. Revise definitions regularly and use flashcards for quick recall before the exam.

Sources & Official References

Content is aligned to the official syllabus. Refer to the board website for the latest curriculum.

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