Courses
Courses for Kids
Free study material
Offline Centres
More
Store Icon
Store

NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Biology Chapter 11 Photosynthesis In Higher Plants

ffImage
banner

NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Biology Chapter 11 - Photosynthesis in Higher Plants

CBSE students of Class 11 can now get access to NCERT Solution for Class 11 Biology Photosynthesis in Higher Plants. By referring to NCERT Solution for Class 11 Biology Chapter 11, students will be made familiar to the whole concept of Photosynthesis in detail. Chapter 11 Biology Class 11 NCERT Solutions incorporate all the answers to the textbook questions straightforwardly and systematically. Experts of Biology have joined hands to provide students with accurate and compact answers to help them grace their examinations with excellent marks, without facing any difficulties. The solutions for the chapter Photosynthesis in Higher Plants Class 11 are provided after taking into consideration the guidelines by the CBSE board. Download the free PDF at Vedantu now.

toc-symbolTable of Content
toggle-arrow


Note: Calculate your potential NEET rank based on marks with our NEET Rank Predictor by Marks!


Chapter at a Glance for Photosynthesis in Higher Plants


Photosynthesis in Higher Plants


Photosynthesis in Higher Plants

Competitive Exams after 12th Science
tp-imag
bottom-arrow
tp-imag
bottom-arrow
tp-imag
bottom-arrow
tp-imag
bottom-arrow
tp-imag
bottom-arrow
tp-imag
bottom-arrow

Access NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Biology Chapter - 11 Photosynthesis in Higher Plants

Question 1:

By looking at a plant externally can you tell whether a plant is C3 and C4 ? Why and how?

Solution 1:

A plant's external appearance cannot tell us if it is C3 or C4. A plant that lives in a dry climate, however, follows the C4 pathway. A C4 plant's leaves differ from C3 plants in several ways, but only at the cellular level can these differences be seen.

Question 2:

By looking at which internal structure of a plant can you tell whether a plant is C3 or C4? Explain.

Solution 2:

C4 leaves possess certain anatomy known as Kranz anatomy, which sets them apart from C3 leaves. Plants of the C4 family have special vascular sheath cells surrounding their bundles of vascular cells. Chloroplasts are abundant in these cells. There are no intercellular spaces in them, and their walls are thick. The internal structure of a plant lets us determine if it is C3 or C4.

Question 3:

Even though a very few cells in a C4 plant carry out the biosynthetic – Calvin pathway, yet  they are highly productive. Can you discuss why?

Solution 3:

A C4 plant does not undergo photorespiration because its enzyme site accumulates CO2 by itself, making photorespiration impossible. By breaking down C4 acid in the cells of the bundle sheath, the CO2 that is released gives rise to an increase in intracellular concentration. Ultimately, this ensures the RuBisCO is an efficient carboxylase, and that oxygenase activity is minimized. Photosynthesis rates thus increase, increasing the productivity of C4 plants.

Question 4:

RuBisCo is an enzyme that acts both as a carboxylase and oxygenase. Why do you think RuBisCo carries out more carboxylation in C4 plants?

Solution 4:

Plants of the C4 family lack the enzyme RuBisCo. Bundle-sheath cells surround vascular bundles rather than contain this protein. As a result, in plants with C4 cells, Calvin cycles do not take place in bundle-sheath cells. CO2 is mainly accepted into cells of the mesophyll by phosphoenol pyruvate, which is a three - carbon compound. In this reaction, it is transformed into oxaloacetic acid (OAA), a four-carbon compound. Further conversion of OAA to malic acid occurs. The Calvin cycle links malic acid to CO2 by decarboxylation in bundle-sheath cells. RuBisCo can no longer function as an oxygenase because of this.

Question 5:

Suppose there were plants that had a high concentration of Chlorophyll b, but lacked chlorophyll a, would it carry out photosynthesis? Then why do plants have chlorophyll b and other accessory pigments?

Solution 5:

Because chlorophyll a is the chief pigment associated with photosynthesis as it traps light, a plant that lacks this pigment would not be able to carry out photosynthetic activity. The other accessory pigments, such as chlorophyll b, xanthophylls, and carotenoids, are equally crucial to the process of absorption of light and energy transfer to chlorophyll a. Moreover, they reduce photooxidation of chlorophyll a while enabling a wider wavelength range to be utilized for photosynthesis.

Question 6:

Why is the colour of a leaf kept in the dark frequently yellow, or pale green? Which pigment do you think is more stable?

Solution 6:

The green pigment chlorophyll is unable to absorb light without light, therefore losing its stability. The leaves thus change from green to yellow. Xanthophyll and carotenoids are some of the more stable accessory pigments.

Question 7:

Look at leaves of the same plant on the shady side and compare it with the leaves on the sunny side. Or, compare the potted plants kept in the sunlight with those in the shade. Which of them has leaves that are darker green? Why?

Solution 7:

Leaf surfaces in shade receive lesser sunshine, so they experience a lesser amount of photosynthesis than plants or leaves in direct sunlight. Leaf pigments present in shady areas increase photosynthesis. As the chlorophyll content increases, the leaf absorbs more light, leading to a greater amount of photosynthesis, which makes the leaves greener when in shade than when in sunlight.

Question 8:

Given below figure shows the effect of light on the rate of photosynthesis. Based on the graph, answer the following questions:

(a) At which point/s (A, B or C) in the curve is light a limiting factor?

(b) What could be the limiting factor/s in region A?

(c) What do C and D represent on the curve?

Solution 8:

Light intensity and photosynthesis rate graph

 (a) In the given graph, light serves as a limiting factor where photosynthesis occurs to the lowest degree. As a result, light is limiting at point A.

(b) Light can limit the growth of plants; water, temperature, and carbon dioxide concentration are also factors.

(c) At stage C, light is no longer a limiting variable. Photosynthesis has already reached its highest rate at point D when light intensity no longer affects photosynthesis.

Question 9:

Give comparison between the following:

(a)C3 and C4 pathways

(b) Cyclic and non-cyclic photophosphorylation

(c) Anatomy of leaf in C3and C4 plants

Solution 9:

(a) C3 and C4 pathways

C3 Pathways

C4 Pathways

CO2 is mostly accepted by RUBP, which is five carbons.

phosphoenol pyruvate - a chemical compound with three carbon atoms - is the primary acceptor of CO2.

3-phosphoglycerate is the first stable product.

Oxaloacetic acid is the most stable of the products.

Leaf mesophyll is only found in leaves.

Leaves contain bundle-sheath cells and mesophyll cells.

This process of carbon fixation takes a long time, and photorespiration losses are high.

Photo-respiration losses are low and it is a faster carbon fixation process.


(b) Cyclic And Non-cyclic Photophosphorylation

Cyclic Photophosphorylation

Non-Cyclic Photophosphorylation

It is restricted to photosystem I.

Photosystems II and I each contain this protein.

The only process involved is the synthesis of ATP.

ATP and NADPH2 are synthesized during this process.

Water is not photolyzed in this process.During this process, water undergoes photolysis.


 Oxygen is liberated from the photosynthesis process.

A higher plant cannot perform photosynthesis. As a result, oxygen is not produced.

Electrons move in a closed circle during this process.

This process does not involve electrons moving in a closed loop.


(c) Anatomy of Leaf in C3 and C4 Plants

Anatomy of leaf in C3

Anatomy of leaf in C4

Bundle-sheath cells are not seen.

Bundle-sheath cells are found

RuBisCo is found in the mesophyll, 

Cells contain RuBisCo.

It was three-phosphoglycerate, a compound with three carbons, that was produced first.

It produces oxaloacetic acid, a four-carbon compound, as its first stable product.

Photorespiration takes place

Occurs in the absence of photorespiration


Photosynthesis in Higher Plants Class 11 NCERT Solution PDF

The PDF for NCERT Solution for Class 11 Biology Photosynthesis in Higher Plants, is easily made available by Vedantu for all students who are seeking detailed yet simple answers for all the textbook questions for Photosynthesis in Higher Plants Class 11. Along with textbook questions, Vedantu has made sure that Photosynthesis in Higher Plants Class 11 NCERT Solution PDF entails extra exercises such as objective questions and solved examples from NCERT book. The solutions help students prepare for not only school-based examinations but also for future entrance examinations. The PDF is easy to download and convenient to study from as it could be accessed from any electrical devices. For last moment revision, the PDF of NCERT Solution for Class 11 Biology Photosynthesis in Higher Plants by Vedantu would come in handy because of its organised structure.


NCERT Solution for Class 11 Biology Chapter 11 Photosynthesis in Higher Plants

Photosynthesis in higher plants Class 11 falls under the 4th unit of NCERT Biology book and is the 13th chapter of the Biology syllabus. Photosynthesis in higher plants Class 11 is a part of the Unit, Plant Physiology. As we have been studying about photosynthesis since the previous grades, the concept is not entirely new to us. Instead, Class 11 Photosynthesis in Higher Plants NCERT Solution deals with more complex chemicals and reactions that are responsible for the transformation of the light energy into chemical energy, while photosynthesis takes place. Along with the reactions, the topic focuses on the technicality of the process; photosynthesis.

Class 11th Biology Chapter 11 NCERT Solution will provide students with expert answers for the topics including light reaction, electron transport and photorespiration. After going through NCERT Solution, students will have excellent knowledge and thorough understanding of the concepts like Splitting of water, the Calvin cycle, Chemiosmotic Hypothesis and more.


Weightage of Marks for Photosynthesis in Higher Plants Class 11 NCERT Solution

Photosynthesis in Higher Plants comes under the 4th unit Plant Physiology, which is a combination of 5 chapters. The unit has a total weightage of 18 marks for the final examinations of Grade 11. Class 11th Biology Chapter 11 NCERT Solution will ensure that none of the students loses even a single mark allotted to the topic Photosynthesis in Higher Plants. If you want to collect all those marks in its entirety, refer to Class 11th Biology Chapter 11 NCERT Solution provided by Vedantu. Moreover, the unit holds a weightage of around 6 per cent when it comes to NEET examinations. Biology Class 11 Chapter 11 NCERT Solution have tried to incorporate all the possible questions that may occur not only in final examinations but also in entrance examinations.


Study Materials for Class 11 Biology Chapter 11 Photosynthesis in Higher Plants NCERT Solutions


Benefits of NCERT Solution for Class 11 Biology Chapter 11 Photosynthesis in Higher Plants

NCERT Solution for Chapter 11 Photosynthesis in Higher Plants could be beneficial for students to excel in their examinations. All the Biology experts have put all of their efforts according to students’ level of understanding. NCERT Solution for Class 11 Biology chapter Photosynthesis in Higher Plants is a compiled version of the whole chapter in easy language. Moreover, NCERT Solution provides the following benefits:


  • The PDF of NCERT Solution is readily available to students at any point in time.

  • The solutions come with detailed explanations of complex concepts and use diagrammatic representations for better understanding.

  • Along with textbook questions, sample questions are also provided for students for them to prepare for advanced entrance examinations.

  • Students will have no difficulty to ace their Biology paper after preparing from NCERT Solution for Class 11 Biology chapter Photosynthesis in Higher Plants.

  • Summary of the chapter is also provided to students for last-minute revision.


NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Biology FREE PDF | Other Chapter-wise Links

Below are the other chapter-wise Links for the Solutions for Biology NCERT Class 11. You can download FREE PDFs of these chapter-wise solutions to familiarise yourself with the concepts.



Related Important Links for CBSE Class 11 Biology NCERT Solutions

WhatsApp Banner

FAQs on NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Biology Chapter 11 Photosynthesis In Higher Plants

1. What are the main steps of solving NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Biology Chapter 11 Photosynthesis in Higher Plants as per CBSE 2025–26 guidelines?

To solve NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Biology Chapter 11 Photosynthesis in Higher Plants, follow these steps:

  • Read the question to identify the concept (e.g., pathways, pigment functions, or comparison tasks).
  • Refer to diagrams or tables from NCERT for visual clarity.
  • Write stepwise, concise answers using correct biological terms.
  • Support explanations with brief scientific reasoning where needed.
  • Follow the marking pattern recommended by CBSE 2025–26.

2. How can you distinguish between C3 and C4 plants using NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Biology Chapter 11?

  • External observation alone cannot confirm C3 or C4 status, but internal anatomy using a microscope reveals distinctions.
  • C4 plants exhibit Kranz anatomy (distinct bundle sheath cells with abundant chloroplasts), while C3 plants do not.

3. Why do C4 plants demonstrate higher photosynthetic efficiency compared to C3 plants? (FUQ)

C4 plants have specialized bundle-sheath cells that concentrate CO2 around RuBisCO, minimizing photorespiration and thereby increasing photosynthesis rates, making them more productive under high temperature and light conditions.

4. What role do accessory pigments play in photosynthesis, according to NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Biology Chapter 11?

  • Accessory pigments like chlorophyll b, carotenoids, and xanthophylls expand the range of light absorption.
  • They transfer energy to chlorophyll a and protect it from photo-oxidation, ensuring optimal photosynthetic efficiency.

5. Would a plant with only chlorophyll b (and no chlorophyll a) be able to perform photosynthesis? Explain. (FUQ)

No, because chlorophyll a is the primary pigment necessary for trapping light energy and initiating the photosynthetic reaction center. Chlorophyll b and other pigments assist, but cannot replace chlorophyll a's core function as per CBSE 2025–26 standard.

6. How does light intensity affect the rate of photosynthesis as explained in NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Biology Chapter 11?

  • At low light intensities, light is the limiting factor for photosynthesis (see point A on the typical rate curve).
  • As light increases, the rate rises until other factors (CO2 concentration or temperature) become limiting.

7. What is the Kranz anatomy and why is it significant in C4 plants? (FUQ)

Kranz anatomy refers to the arrangement of bundle sheath cells around vascular bundles in C4 leaves. This structure allows efficient CO2 fixation and is key for reducing photorespiration in C4 plants.

8. Compare cyclic and non-cyclic photophosphorylation as per NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Biology Chapter 11. (FUQ)

  • Cyclic photophosphorylation involves only Photosystem I and generates ATP but not NADPH or oxygen.
  • Non-cyclic photophosphorylation uses both Photosystems I and II, producing ATP, NADPH, and releasing oxygen via water photolysis.

9. Why are leaves kept in continuous darkness often yellow or pale green, as described in NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Biology Chapter 11?

In darkness, chlorophyll a degrades quickly due to lack of light-dependent stability, leaving more stable pigments like xanthophylls and carotenoids, which are yellow, resulting in a yellow or pale appearance.

10. What is the significance of the Calvin cycle in photosynthesis in higher plants? (FUQ)

The Calvin cycle converts atmospheric CO2 into glucose, thus storing solar energy as chemical energy for plant growth and metabolism, serving as the key step in photosynthetic carbon fixation.

11. Can you explain the effect of shading on leaf color using NCERT Class 11 Biology Chapter 11 Solutions?

Shaded leaves generally have a darker green color because they synthesize more chlorophyll to maximize light absorption under low-light conditions, as per CBSE 2025–26 principles.

12. What benefits do NCERT Solutions offer for Class 11 Biology Chapter 11 Photosynthesis in Higher Plants?

NCERT Solutions provide:

  • Stepwise answers from experts as per the latest CBSE syllabus.
  • Clarification of complex topics through diagrams.
  • Practice for both theoretical and objective-style exams.
  • Concise summaries for effective revision.

13. How does photorespiration differ between C3 and C4 plants? (FUQ)

  • C3 plants experience higher photorespiration due to RuBisCO's oxygenase activity in the presence of oxygen.
  • C4 plants minimize photorespiration by concentrating CO2 in bundle-sheath cells, making the process negligible.

14. What factors can limit the rate of photosynthesis, according to the NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Biology Chapter 11?

Key limiting factors include:

  • Light intensity
  • Available CO2
  • Temperature
  • Water availability
Each may become the limiting factor under different environmental conditions, as covered in CBSE 2025–26 Solutions.

15. Why should students use NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Biology Chapter 11 to prepare for board and competitive exams? (FUQ)

Using NCERT Solutions ensures students learn concepts and answer-writing techniques as per CBSE 2025–26 patterns, supporting both board exam readiness and foundational NEET biology preparation.