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NCERT Solutions for Class 7th Science Chapter 10 Life Processes in Plants

Updated on 2026-09-19

About this chapter

Plants need sunlight and water to grow. Activity 10.1 shows this: the pot kept in sunlight with water grows best, the pot kept in the dark with water grows poorly and turns pale, and the pot kept in sunlight without water dries up and may die. Plants make their own food. Photosynthesis is the process by which plants prepare food in the presence of sunlight and chlorophyll , using carbon dioxide and water as raw materials. The word equation is: Carbon dioxide + Water → Glucose + Oxygen. Leaves are the 'food factories' of plants. They are broad and flat, and green because of the pigment chlorophyll , which captures sunlight efficiently. Food is first made as glucose and later stored as starch . Starch is detected with the iodine test — a decolourised leaf containing starch turns blue-black .

  • Chapter opener
  • .1 How Do Plants Grow?
  • .2.1 Leaves: the 'food factories' of plants
  • .2.2 Role of air in the preparation of food
  • .2.3 Photosynthesis: in a nutshell
  • .2.4 How do leaves exchange gases during photosynthesis?
  • .3.1 Transport of water and minerals
  • .3.2 Transport of food
  • .4 Do Plants Respire?
  • Chapter exercises
Quick revision
TermWhat it meansWhere it appears in the chapterPoint to remember
PhotosynthesisThe process by which plants prepare food in the presence of sunlight and chlorophyllSection 10.2.3, Fig. 10.5, page 146Raw materials: carbon dioxide and water. Products: glucose and oxygen
ChlorophyllThe green pigment in leaves that captures sunlight efficientlySection 10.2.1, page 140; Activity 10.3Only the green patches of a leaf make starch
StarchA type of carbohydrate in which plants store foodSection 10.2.1; iodine test in Activity 10.2A leaf with starch turns blue-black with iodine
GlucoseThe simple carbohydrate actually produced during photosynthesisSection 10.2.3, page 146Instant energy; later converted to starch for storage
Iodine testTest for starch — a decolourised leaf is treated with dilute iodine solutionActivity 10.2, Fig. 10.2, pages 140–141Blue-black colour = starch present
DestarchingKeeping a plant in the dark for 2–3 days so it loses its stored starchActivity 10.4, page 143Without it, old starch would spoil the result
Caustic sodaSodium hydroxide — it absorbs carbon dioxide from the airActivity 10.4, Fig. 10.3, page 143Only teachers should handle it; it burns the skin
StomataTiny pores on the surface of leaves that help in the exchange of gasesActivity 10.6, Fig. 10.6, page 147Mostly on the lower surface of a leaf
XylemThin tube-like structures that carry water and minerals from the roots upwardActivity 10.7 and Fig. 10.8, page 148Red ink rises through the xylem and colours stem, leaves and flowers
PhloemThin tube-like structures that carry food from the leaves to all parts of the plantSection 10.3.2, Fig. 10.8, page 148Food may be stored in seeds, roots and tubers such as potato
RespirationBreakdown of glucose in the presence of oxygen to release energySection 10.4, Activity 10.8, page 149Glucose + Oxygen → Carbon dioxide + Water + Energy
Lime water testLime water turns milky in the presence of carbon dioxideActivity 10.8, Fig. 10.9, page 149Germinating seeds give out carbon dioxide as they respire
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Exercises

  1. Chapter opener — In-text Questions Page 137
  2. .1 How Do Plants Grow? — In-text Questions Page 13810
  3. .1 How Do Plants Grow? — Activity 10.1: Let us test some explanations Page 138 & 13910
  4. .2.1 Leaves: the 'food factories' of plants — Activity 10.2: Let us check (demonstration activity) Page 140 & 14110
  5. .2.1 Leaves: the 'food factories' of plants — Dive Deeper Page 14110
  6. .2.1 Leaves: the 'food factories' of plants — In-text Question Page 14110
  7. .2.1 Leaves: the 'food factories' of plants — Activity 10.3: Let us check Page 141 to 14310
  8. .2.2 Role of air in the preparation of food — In-text Questions Page 14310
  9. .2.2 Role of air in the preparation of food — Activity 10.4: Let us experiment (demonstration activity) Page 143 & 14410
  10. .2.2 Role of air in the preparation of food — In-text Questions Page 144 & 14510
  11. .2.2 Role of air in the preparation of food — Activity 10.5: Let us explore Page 14510
  12. .2.3 Photosynthesis: in a nutshell — Know a Scientist Page 14610
  13. .2.4 How do leaves exchange gases during photosynthesis? — In-text Question Page 14610
  14. .2.4 How do leaves exchange gases during photosynthesis? — Activity 10.6: Let us examine (demonstration activity) Page 14710
  15. .3.1 Transport of water and minerals — In-text Question Page 14710
  16. .3.1 Transport of water and minerals — Activity 10.7: Let us experiment Page 14810
  17. .3.2 Transport of food — In-text Question Page 14810
  18. .4 Do Plants Respire? — In-text Question Page 14910
  19. .4 Do Plants Respire? — Activity 10.8: Let us find out (demonstration activity) Page 14910
  20. Chapter exercises — Let Us Enhance Our Learning Page 150 to 152
  21. Interdisciplinary projects — Exploratory Projects Page 152
  22. End of chapter — Know a Scientist Page 152
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