‹ Biology simulationsBiology · IGCSE 0610 · 6 Plant nutritionSeven 3D simulations covering Topic 6: photosynthesis (6.1) and leaf structure (6.2). Watch a chloroplast make glucose, follow the glucose round the plant, compare mineral deficiencies, run the starch tests, find the limiting factor and explore a leaf. The tab marked Extended is for the Supplement.
Plants make carbohydrates from carbon dioxide and water, using energy from light. The green pigment chlorophyll, inside chloroplasts, absorbs the light and transfers its energy into chemical energy in glucose. Oxygen is released as a by-product.
The glucose made in the leaves is used straight away or turned into other carbohydrates. Pick a use and follow the glucose through the plant.
Photosynthesis gives a plant its carbohydrates, but to make other molecules it needs mineral ions absorbed from the soil by its roots. Compare plants grown with all the minerals, without nitrate and without magnesium.
A leaf that has photosynthesised stores the glucose as starch, so a starch test shows where photosynthesis happened. Investigate whether chlorophyll, light and carbon dioxide are needed. Each experiment has a control.
Count the oxygen bubbles given off by pondweed in a minute. Change the light intensity (move the lamp), the carbon dioxide concentration and the temperature. Whichever factor is in shortest supply limits the rate: increasing anything else makes no difference.
Hydrogencarbonate indicator is red at normal carbon dioxide levels, yellow when carbon dioxide rises and purple when it falls. Seal water plants in tubes of indicator, leave them for some hours in different conditions and compare.
A leaf is a thin, flat organ with a large surface area, built to absorb light and exchange gases. Turn this block cut from a dicot leaf and click each tissue to see how it helps photosynthesis.
Seven interactive 3D simulations for Cambridge IGCSE Biology 0610 topic 6 Plant nutrition: carbon dioxide and water turned into glucose and oxygen in a chloroplast, the uses of glucose as starch, cellulose, sucrose, nectar and for respiration, nitrate and magnesium deficiency, starch tests on variegated, foil-covered and carbon dioxide-starved leaves, pondweed bubbles with limiting factors, hydrogencarbonate indicator in light, dark and dim light, and a clickable 3D leaf cross-section.
Seven 3D simulations covering Topic 6: photosynthesis (6.1) and leaf structure (6.2). Watch a chloroplast make glucose, follow the glucose round the plant, compare mineral deficiencies, run the starch tests, find the limiting factor and explore a leaf. The tab marked Extended is for the Supplement.
Plant nutrition is a free, browser-based simulation for Cambridge IGCSE Biology 0610 (topic 6 Plant nutrition). The course is assessed in Paper 1/2 (Multiple choice), Paper 3/4 (Theory), Paper 5 (Practical Test), Paper 6 (Alternative to Practical). Syllabus for examination in 2026-2028. There are 7 tabs, each a self-contained experiment with its own controls and live readings, and nothing to install: it runs on a laptop, tablet or classroom projector.
Full syllabus map: IGCSE Biology 0610 topic 6.
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