Did you know that only the green parts of a leaf can make food? Sounds mysterious, right? At Templer Park International School (TPIS), our curious Grade 9 scientists uncovered this leafy secret through an exciting hands-on experiment!

The green colour in leaves comes from chloroplasts — tiny structures inside plant cells that contain chlorophyll. These little powerhouses are where photosynthesis happens, turning sunlight into food for the plant (and oxygen for us!).

🔬 The Experiment: Testing for Starch

Our Grade 9 students carried out the iodine test for starch using a variegated leaf (a leaf with both green and non-green areas). When iodine comes into contact with starch, it turns a dramatic blue-black colour.

And guess what the results showed?

🔵 Green areas of the leaf turned blue-black
🟤 Non-green areas stayed brown

🌿 The Big Discovery

The results were crystal clear: photosynthesis only occurs in areas with chloroplasts. No chloroplasts, no food production!

✨ Fun Science Fact

Without chloroplasts, plants couldn’t make food or produce oxygen — which means life on Earth as we know it wouldn’t exist 🌍💚

At TPIS, learning science isn’t just about textbooks — it’s about discovering how the world works, one experiment at a time! 🧠🔬🌱