Photosynthesis Worksheets

Photosynthesis Leaf CO2 + O2
        Photosynthesis worksheets designed for high school, middle school, and elementary school life science teachers. A great photosynthesis lab involves shinning a light on a freshly cut leaf on a wet mount while looking through a microscope. NGSS Life Science offers many great lessons. Click the Free Lesson Plan (PDF) link below or become a member to get access to the answer key and editable file. Free photosynthesis curriculum includes:
  • Worksheet
    Photosynthesis Worksheet
    Published by NGSS Life Science. Free Lesson Plan (PDF)

    Lesson Plan (DOCX) & Answer Key with Membership
     
    High School Worksheet
    In this photosynthesis worksheet, students will learn about the reactants and products of photosynthesis. The chloroplast structure, including chlorophyll, is also included.
    NGSS Standard
    HS-LS1-5
    		  
    Published by NGSS Life Science
  • Lab Experiment
    Photosynthesis Lab - Plant Growth in Light and Dark
    Published by NGSS Life Science. Free Lesson Plan (PDF)

    Lesson Plan (DOCX) & Answer Key with Membership
     
    High School Lab
    Students will learn how photosynthesis is used by a plant to make sugars by breaking the misconception that photosynthesis is about growing a plant. These sugars are then used to perform cellular respiration to make energy. The sugars are converted into larger molecules like cellulose to help build the structure of plant cells. Students should also recognize that plants grow by cell division.
    NGSS Standard
    HS-LS1-4
    HS-LS1-5
    Common Core Standard
    RST: 9.10.3, 9.10.5, 9.10.7, WST: 9.10.1b, 9.10.1e, 9.10.2a, 9.10.7, 9.10.9
    		  
    Published by NGSS Life Science
  • Lab Experiment
    Photosynthesis Modeling Lab - Ball-and-Stick
    Published by NGSS Life Science. Free Lesson Plan (PDF)

    Lesson Plan (DOCX) & Answer Key with Membership
     
    High School Lab
    Students will learn about the inputs and outputs of photosynthesis by building ball and stick chemical models. Students will also experience the law of conservation of matter by breaking CO2 and H2O into Glucose and O2. Students will be able to write a CER answering the question: How are the atoms in carbon dioxide and water related to the glucose molecule and oxygen molecules synthesized in photosynthesis?
    NGSS Standard
    HS-LS1-5
    Common Core Standard
    W 9-10.2.D, 9-10.7. RST 9-10.3, 9-10.4, 9-10.7
    		  
    Published by NGSS Life Science
  • Lab Experiment
    Rate of Photosynthesis Lab
    Free Lesson Plan
     
    High School Lab
    Students perform a simple experiment of photosynthesis using Elodea, baking soda, water and a lamp. The amount of bubbles are counted per minute.
    NGSS Standard
    HS-LS1-5
    		  
    Published by Shannan Muskopf
  • Project
    How Matter & Energy Moves Through The Ecosystem Project
    Published by NGSS Life Science. Free Lesson Plan (PDF)

    Lesson Plan (DOCX) & Answer Key with Membership
     
    High School Project
    In this carbon cycle project, students will model how a carbon atom makes a round trip from a person through the atmosphere and ecosystem and end finally back in the same person. This carbon cycle project video covers concepts like photosynthesis, consumption, cellular respiration, carbon reservoirs, and the 10% rule for energy flow.
    NGSS Standard
    HS-LS1-5
    HS-LS1-7
    HS-LS2-4
    MS-LS2-3 (Cycles & Energy Flow)
    		  
    Published by NGSS Life Science
  • Lab Experiment
    Photosynthesis Modeling Lab
    Published by NGSS Life Science. Free Lesson Plan (PDF)

    Lesson Plan (DOCX) & Answer Key with Membership
     
    High School Lab
    In this photosynthesis modeling lab, students act out the three parts of photosynthesis: photosystem 2, photosystem 1, and the Calvin cycle. Students at the end of the lab will learn the chemical formula for photosynthesis, how CO2 is used to build glucose and why oxygen gas is released as a waste product. This photosynthesis modeling lab is great for visual and kinesthetic learners.
    NGSS Standard
    HS-LS1-5
    		  
    Published by NGSS Life Science
  • Lecture
    Bioenergetics Lecture Notes
    Published by NGSS Life Science. Free Lesson Plan (PDF)

    Lesson Plan (PPTX) & Answer Key with Membership
     
    High School Lecture
    An introduction to cellular respiration, photosynthesis and ATP and ADP. The goal of the notes is help student make the connection about the inputs and outputs of photosynthesis and cellular respiration.
    NGSS Standard
    HS-LS1-5
    HS-LS1-7
    		  
    Published by NGSS Life Science
Chloroplast


Photosynthesis Concepts

  • Light Dependent Reactions - photosystem 2, photosystem 1, electron transport chain, NADP+.
  • Light Independent Reactions - Calvin cycle, NADPH.
  • Chloroplasts - thylakoid, granum, stroma, mesophyll, guard cells.
  • Pigments - chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b.
  • Electron Acceptors - O2, NADPH.
  • Photorespiration - oxidative photosynthetic carbon cycle, C2 photosynthesis.
  • C4 Pathway - C4 carbon fixation.
  • CAM Plants - crassulacean acid metabolism.


Lessons Organized by NGSS Standard