Cambridge IGCSE·Co-ordinated Sciences 0654·Biology
Plant Nutrition
Key knowledge — Plant Nutrition
Formulas & equations
Photosynthesis: 6CO₂ + 6H₂O → C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂ (light energy needed, chlorophyll)
Key facts & rules
- Reactants of photosynthesis: carbon dioxide (from air via stomata) and water (from soil via roots/xylem).
- Products: glucose (used for respiration, storage as starch, building cell walls) and oxygen (released).
- Limiting factors: light intensity, CO₂ concentration, temperature.
- Chlorophyll is found in chloroplasts, mainly in palisade mesophyll cells.
- Iodine test (blue-black) confirms starch is present = photosynthesis has occurred.
- Plants also need mineral ions: nitrates (for amino acids/protein), magnesium (for chlorophyll).
- Deficiency symptoms: nitrate deficiency → stunted growth, yellow leaves; magnesium deficiency → yellow leaves (chlorosis).
IGCSE Biology — Plant nutrition
2210 Cambridge IGCSE 0654 biology past paper questions on plant nutrition, organised by subtopic. Pick a subtopic to start practising.
About plant nutrition on IGCSE 0654
Photosynthesis — the word and balanced equations, leaf structure, limiting factors, and investigations using aquatic plants. One of the highest-frequency Biology topics on 0654.