1. The three events that occur during the process of photosynthesis are:

1. Absorption of light energy by chlorophyll.
2. Conversion of light energy to chemical energy and splitting of water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen.
3. Reduction of carbon dioxide to carbohydrates.

Role of stomata These help in the gaseous exchange between the plant and its atmosphere. Thus, it assists in supply of carbon dioxide, essential for photosynthesis.

2. Sunlight is essential for photosynthesis:

Place a healthy green potted plant in a dark room for 1-2 days. This is done to ensure that the plant consumes all its reserve food and the leaves do not contain any starch. Then, cover a portion of a leaf of this plant on both sides with two uniform pieces of black paper, fixed in position with two paper clips.

Now, expose this plant to bright light. After a few hours, remove the leaf, decolorize it with alcohol, and test the presence of food (starch) with iodine solution.

You will observe that the portion of the leaf covered with black paper does not show any presence of starch (food).

Explanation of the activity:

The food prepared by plants (carbohydrates) through the process of photosynthesis is stored as starch. This starch reacts with the iodine solution to change to blue-black colour. Only those portions of the leaf that were exposed to sunlight could photosynthesize and hence, change to blue-black colour when tested with iodine.