5th Grade Science Flashcards: Plant Matter From Air And Water

What this deck covers

This deck focuses on Plant Matter From Air And Water, giving you a quick way to review the definitions, rules, and examples that matter most for 5th Grade Science.

How to use these flashcards

Work through these flashcards in short sessions. Try to answer each prompt before flipping the card, then revisit any cards you miss until the explanation feels automatic.

Flashcard 1: What green pigment in leaves captures light energy used for photosynthesis?

Answer: Chlorophyll. This molecule absorbs red and blue light wavelengths for photosynthesis.

Flashcard 2: Which tiny openings on leaves let $CO_2$ enter and $O_2$ leave during photosynthesis?

Answer: Stomata. These pores open and close to control gas exchange and water loss.

Flashcard 3: What process do plants use to make sugar (glucose) from carbon dioxide and water using light?

Answer: Photosynthesis. Plants convert light energy into chemical energy stored in sugar molecules.

Flashcard 4: What gas from the air provides the carbon atoms that become part of plant sugars and other plant matter?

Answer: Carbon dioxide ($CO_2$). Plants absorb this gas through stomata to build carbon-based molecules.

Flashcard 5: What substance absorbed by roots provides hydrogen and oxygen atoms used to build plant sugars?

Answer: Water ($H_2O$). Combined with $CO_2$ and light energy to form glucose during photosynthesis.

Flashcard 6: What is the main product (food molecule) plants make during photosynthesis that becomes plant biomass?

Answer: Glucose (sugar). This simple sugar ($C_6H_{12}O_6$) forms the building blocks of plant tissue.

Flashcard 7: What gas is released into the air as a product of photosynthesis?

Answer: Oxygen ($O_2$). Released when water molecules split to provide electrons for the process.

Flashcard 8: Which plant structure takes in $CO_2$ from the air for photosynthesis: roots or leaves?

Answer: Leaves. Contains stomata that allow gas exchange with the atmosphere.

Flashcard 9: Which plant structure absorbs water from the soil: roots or flowers?

Answer: Roots. Specialized structures that absorb water and dissolved minerals from soil.

Flashcard 10: What is the correct word for the total mass of living material in a plant (stems, leaves, roots)?

Answer: Biomass. The total dry weight of all organic matter in the plant.

Flashcard 11: Which provides most of the mass a tree gains as it grows: soil minerals or air and water?

Answer: Air and water. Carbon from air and hydrogen from water make up most plant mass.

Flashcard 12: Identify the correct claim: plant mass comes mostly from soil or mostly from $CO_2$ and $H_2O$.

Answer: Mostly from $CO_2$ and $H_2O$. Photosynthesis combines these raw materials into organic compounds.

Flashcard 13: Which atom in plant sugars comes mainly from the air: carbon or iron?

Answer: Carbon. Carbon dioxide provides the carbon backbone for all organic molecules.

Flashcard 14: What is the main role of sunlight in photosynthesis: provide energy or provide carbon atoms?

Answer: Provide energy. Light powers the chemical reactions but doesn't become part of the plant.

Flashcard 15: Which statement is correct: minerals make most plant mass or minerals are needed in small amounts?

Answer: Minerals are needed in small amounts. Soil provides nutrients but not the bulk carbon and hydrogen in plants.

Flashcard 16: Which materials are the main reactants used to build plant sugar in photosynthesis?

Answer: $CO_2$ and $H_2O$. These combine in chloroplasts to form glucose and oxygen.

Flashcard 17: Which material contributes only a small amount to plant mass: minerals from soil or $CO_2$ from air?

Answer: Minerals from soil. These nutrients are essential but comprise less than 5% of plant dry mass.

Flashcard 18: Which plant structure mostly takes in $CO_2$: roots or leaves?

Answer: Leaves. These organs contain stomata for gas exchange with the atmosphere.

Flashcard 19: What gas is released as a byproduct when plants perform photosynthesis?

Answer: Oxygen ($O_2$). This waste product comes from splitting water molecules during photosynthesis.

Flashcard 20: What is the main solid product plants make in photosynthesis that becomes plant mass?

Answer: Sugar (glucose). This carbohydrate ($C_6H_{12}O_6$) forms the building blocks of plant tissue.

Flashcard 21: What substance absorbed by roots provides hydrogen atoms used to build plant sugars?

Answer: Water ($H_2O$). Roots absorb this molecule which provides H atoms for sugar synthesis.

Flashcard 22: What process uses carbon dioxide from air and water to make sugar in plants?

Answer: Photosynthesis. This process converts $CO_2$ and $H_2O$ into glucose using light energy.

Flashcard 23: What gas from the air provides the carbon atoms that become part of plant sugars?

Answer: Carbon dioxide ($CO_2$). Plants absorb this gas through stomata to build carbon-based molecules.

Flashcard 24: What tissue moves water from roots to leaves in a plant?

Answer: Xylem. These tubes transport water upward through capillary action and transpiration.

Flashcard 25: In most plants, what is the largest source of new matter as a plant grows: soil minerals or air and water?

Answer: Air and water. Photosynthesis converts these raw materials into most of the plant's mass.

Flashcard 26: What classic evidence shows soil is not the main source of plant mass when a plant grows?

Answer: Soil mass changes very little. Van Helmont's experiment showed plants gain mass without soil loss.

Flashcard 27: Which plant structure mainly absorbs water: roots or leaves?

Answer: Roots. These underground organs have root hairs that increase water absorption.

Flashcard 28: What tiny openings in leaves let $CO_2$ enter and $O_2$ exit?

Answer: Stomata. These pores open and close to regulate gas exchange in leaves.

Flashcard 29: What is the main role of sunlight in plant mass increase: provide matter or provide energy?

Answer: Provide energy. Light powers the chemical reactions but doesn't become part of plant matter.

Flashcard 30: What tiny openings in leaves allow $CO_2$ to enter and $O_2$ to leave?

Answer: Stomata. These pores open and close to control gas exchange.