50 Very Short Answer Questions — Chapter 10: Life Processes in Plants

1. 1. What is photosynthesis? — Process by which green plants make food using carbon dioxide, water and sunlight.
2. 2. Name the pigment involved in photosynthesis. — Chlorophyll.
3. 3. Where does photosynthesis mainly occur in a plant? — In the leaves, especially the palisade cells.
4. 4. Write the word equation of photosynthesis. — Carbon dioxide + Water + Light → Glucose + Oxygen.
5. 5. What gas is released during photosynthesis? — Oxygen.
6. 6. What is the role of stomata? — Allow exchange of gases and transpiration.
7. 7. Name the tissue that transports water in plants. — Xylem.
8. 8. Which tissue transports food in plants? — Phloem.
9. 9. What is transpiration? — Loss of water vapour from plant surfaces, mainly leaves.
10. 10. What are guard cells? — Special cells that flank stomata and control their opening and closing.
11. 11. What are xerophytes? — Plants adapted to dry conditions (e.g., cactus).
12. 12. Give one adaptation of xerophytes to reduce water loss. — Thick cuticle or reduced leaves.
13. 13. What is translocation? — Movement of food (sugars) through phloem from source to sink.
14. 14. Name one heterotrophic plant. — Cuscuta (dodder).
15. 15. Define autotroph. — Organism that makes its own food (e.g., green plants).
16. 16. What are two raw materials of photosynthesis? — Carbon dioxide and water.
17. 17. Where are chloroplasts found? — In green plant cells, especially mesophyll cells of leaves.
18. 18. What is the function of palisade mesophyll? — Main site of photosynthesis due to many chloroplasts.
19. 19. State one function of the cuticle. — Prevents excessive water loss.
20. 20. Name the process that releases energy from glucose in plants. — Respiration.
21. 21. What type of respiration uses oxygen? — Aerobic respiration.
22. 22. Give an example of anaerobic respiration product in plants. — Ethanol (in yeast) and carbon dioxide.
23. 23. What are stomatal openings called? — Stomata (singular: stoma).
24. 24. Name two components of a typical leaf vein. — Xylem and phloem.
25. 25. Which part of root absorbs water? — Root hairs.
26. 26. How does water move from root to leaf? — Via xylem vessels driven by transpiration pull and root pressure.
27. 27. What is the main storage form of glucose in plants? — Starch.
28. 28. Name a saprophytic plant. — Some fungi (not plants) are saprophytes; example often given: fungi on dead leaves.
29. 29. Mention one way plants remove excess water. — Transpiration through stomata.
30. 30. What is the role of phloem companion cells? — Help in loading and unloading sugars in phloem.
31. 31. Which part of the leaf has large air spaces for gas exchange? — Spongy mesophyll.
32. 32. What is guttation? — Exudation of liquid droplets from leaf edges usually at night.
33. 33. Give one example of a parasitic plant. — Cuscuta.
34. 34. Name the experiment to prove transpiration. — Potometer or covering leaves and observing condensation.
35. 35. How is oxygen used by plants? — For respiration to release energy.
36. 36. What causes stomata to open? — Guard cells become turgid (due to water uptake), usually in light.
37. 37. Which gas enters stomata during photosynthesis? — Carbon dioxide.
38. 38. What happens to excess glucose made during photosynthesis? — Stored as starch or used for growth.
39. 39. State one difference between xylem and phloem. — Xylem transports water upward; phloem transports food both ways.
40. 40. Name the green organelle where light reactions occur. — Chloroplast.
41. 41. How does humidity affect transpiration? — High humidity reduces transpiration; low humidity increases it.
42. 42. What is a source in translocation? — Part where food is produced or released (e.g., leaf).
43. 43. What is a sink in translocation? — Part where food is used or stored (e.g., root, fruit).
44. 44. Name the test used to detect starch in leaves. — Iodine (iodide) test.
45. 45. What effect does light have on stomata? — Light usually opens stomata to allow CO₂ entry for photosynthesis.
46. 46. Define epidermis of leaf. — Outer protective layer of cells on leaf surfaces.
47. 47. What is the importance of transpiration besides water loss? — Helps in cooling and drawing up water and minerals.
48. 48. How do aquatic plants differ in stomata distribution? — Many aquatic plants have stomata on upper surface only.
49. 49. Name one storage organ in plants where food is stored. — Taproot (carrot) or tuber (potato).
50. 50. Why are leaves thin and flat? — To provide a large surface area for light absorption and gas exchange.

Prepared according to NCERT Class 7 Chapter 10: Life Processes in Plants — ideal for quick revision and classroom handouts.