How Do Plants Get Light? | Plant Adaptations

Light is one of the three ingredients plants need to make their own food during photosynthesis, along with carbon dioxide and water. But what happens when there is too much or too little light? They adapt! Disponible en español.

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Questions and Prompts for Educators

Check for Understanding

How do plants get the light they need?
Plants are adapted to different levels of light. What happens if a plant has too much or too little light?

Take It Further

Think of a plant you’re familiar with. Does it need a little or a lot of light? Why do you think that?
Which plant adaptation to get light is your favorite? Why?

Create

Choose two plants from different environments. Design an experiment to test how much light the two plants need. Make predictions about which plant needs more sunlight. Test your predictions by conducting the experiment and tracking your observations over time.

Make a Personal Connection

Leaves are like solar panels in that they help plants take in energy from sunlight. Design a solar-powered machine that solves a problem in your school or community.

Next Generation Science Standards: Disciplinary Core Ideas

LS1.A: STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION
How do the structures of organisms enable life’s functions?
LS1.C: ORGANIZATION FOR MATTER AND ENERGY FLOW IN ORGANISMS
How do organisms obtain and use the matter and energy they need to live and grow?
LS4.C: ADAPTATION
How does the environment influence populations of organisms over multiple generations?

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