NEET Photosynthesis in Higher Plants PYQs & Practice Questions

10 free NEET Biology questions on Photosynthesis in Higher Plants, starting with previous year questions (2016–2026). Tap “Show answer” to check each one. No login needed.

Topics: Action Spectrum of Photosynthesis · Chlorophyll Structure · Role of Chlorophyll a · Photosynthetically Active Radiation · Chemosynthetic Bacteria · ATP Synthesis - Chemiosmosis · Products of the Light Reaction · Why 'Dark Reaction' is Named So · Primary CO2 Acceptor in C4 Plants · Site of Water Splitting · Electron Transport Chain in Light Reaction · Enzymes Specific to C4 Photosynthesis

Q1NEET 2026Photorespiration
Which of the following statements regarding photorespiration are correct? (a) Does not occur in C3 plants (b) CO2 is consumed and O2 is generated (c) Phosphoglycolate is formed (d) No synthesis of ATP and NADPH Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
- A. (c) and (d) only
- B. (b) and (d) only
- C. (a) and (b) only
- D. (a) and (d) only
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Answer: —
Photorespiration DOES occur in C3 plants (it is a characteristic wasteful pathway in C3 plants, largely absent in C4 plants due to the CO2-concentrating mechanism), so (a) is false. Photorespiration consumes O2 and releases CO2 (opposite of what (b) states), so (b) is false. RuBisCO's oxygenase activity on RuBP produces phosphoglycolate, which is then metabolized -- (c) is correct. Unlike photosynthesis, photorespiration does not result in net synthesis of ATP or NADPH -- (d) is correct. So (c) and (d) only.
Q2NEET 2026Photorespiration - RuBisCO Oxygenase Reaction
Photorespiration reaction catalyzed by RuBisCo is shown below: RuBP + O2 → 3-Phosphoglycerate + X Identify "X" from the given options:
- A. 2-Phosphoglycolate
- B. Oxaloacetate
- C. Malate
- D. Phosphoenolpyruvate
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Answer: —
In the oxygenase reaction of RuBisCO (the basis of photorespiration), RuBP reacts with O2 to form one molecule of 3-phosphoglycerate and one molecule of 2-phosphoglycolate (a 2-carbon compound), which is then metabolized through the photorespiratory pathway.
Q3NEET 2026Reaction Centre Pigments of Photosystems
Which pigment has absorption peak at 700 nm in the photosynthetic reaction centre PS I (P700)?
- A. Chlorophyll a
- B. Xanthophylls
- C. Carotenoids
- D. Chlorophyll b
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Answer: —
The reaction centre pigment of Photosystem I, designated P700 (absorption peak at 700 nm), is a special form of chlorophyll a.
Q4NEET 2026Calvin Cycle - Turns Required for Glucose Formation
How many turns of Calvin cycle are required for the formation of three molecules of glucose?
- A. 3
- B. 1
- C. 18
- D. 6
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Answer: B — 1
Each turn of the Calvin cycle fixes 1 molecule of CO2. Formation of 1 molecule of glucose (6 carbons) requires 6 turns of the Calvin cycle (fixing 6 CO2 molecules). For 3 molecules of glucose, 3 × 6 = 18 turns are required.

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Q5NEET 2026History of Discovery of Photosynthesis
Select the correct sequence of experiments that led to a gradual understanding of photosynthesis in green plants.
- A. Role of air → release of oxygen → production of glucose → absorption spectra of chlorophyll a and b
- B. Release of oxygen → production of glucose → absorption spectra of chlorophyll a and b → role of air
- C. Production of glucose → role of air → release of oxygen → absorption spectra of chlorophyll a and b
- D. Absorption spectra of chlorophyll a and b → production of glucose → release of oxygen → role of air
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Answer: —
Historically, photosynthesis research progressed in this order: first the role of air was established (Joseph Priestley, Jan Ingenhousz), then the release of oxygen was discovered, followed by the demonstration of glucose (carbohydrate) production, and later the study of the absorption spectra of chlorophyll a and b (T.W. Engelmann and others) in relation to photosynthetic activity.
Q6NEET 2026Enzyme for carboxylation in Calvin cycle
The enzyme required for carboxylation in the Calvin cycle is:
- A. PEP carboxylase
- B. RuBP carboxylase-oxygenase
- C. Carboxypeptidase
- D. Hexokinase
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Answer: A — PEP carboxylase
RuBisCO (RuBP carboxylase-oxygenase) catalyses the carboxylation of RuBP, the first step of the Calvin cycle.
Q7NEET 2026Incorrect statement about photosynthesis
Find the incorrect statement(s) about photosynthesis from the following: A. The water splitting complex is associated with PS I. B. C4 plants use the C3 pathway of CO2 fixation as the main biosynthetic pathway. C. In C4 plants, photorespiration does not occur. D. C3 plants exhibit 'Kranz' anatomy. E. ATP synthesis in chloroplast occurs through chemiosmosis.
- A. B and C only
- B. B and E only
- C. B only
- D. A and D only
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Answer: C — B only
A is false (water-splitting complex is with PS II, not PS I); D is false (Kranz anatomy is a feature of C4, not C3, plants). B, C, E are true. So A and D only are incorrect.
Q8NEET 2026ATP and NADPH required for one glucose via Calvin pathway
How many ATP and NADPH molecules are required to make one molecule of glucose through the Calvin pathway?
- A. 12 ATP and 18 NADPH
- B. 18 ATP and 12 NADPH
- C. 6 ATP and 12 NADPH
- D. 24 ATP and 18 NADPH
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Answer: A — 12 ATP and 18 NADPH
The Calvin cycle requires 18 ATP and 12 NADPH to synthesize one molecule of glucose.

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Q9NEET 2025Photosynthetic Pigments - Colours
Match List - I with List - II. List – I: A. Chlorophyll a, B. Chlorophyll b, C. Xanthophylls, D. Carotenoids. List – II: I. Yellow-green, II. Yellow, III. Blue-green, IV. Yellow to yellow orange. Choose the option with all correct matches.
- A. A-III, B-IV, C-II, D-I
- B. A-III, B-I, C-II, D-IV
- C. A-I, B-II, C-IV, D-III
- D. A-I, B-IV, C-III, D-II
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Answer: A — A-III, B-IV, C-II, D-I
Chlorophyll a is blue-green (III). Chlorophyll b is yellow-green (I). Xanthophylls are yellow (II). Carotenoids are yellow to yellow-orange (IV). So A-III, B-I, C-II, D-IV.
Q10NEET 2025RuBisCO Enzyme - Properties
Which of the following statements about RuBisCO is true?
- A. It is active only in the dark
- B. It has higher affinity for oxygen than carbon dioxide.
- C. it is an enzyme involved in the photolysis of water
- D. It catalyzes the carboxylation of RuBP.
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Answer: C — it is an enzyme involved in the photolysis of water
RuBisCO (Ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase-oxygenase) is active both in light and dark, has a higher affinity for CO2 than O2 when both are at equal concentration, and catalyzes the carboxylation of RuBP (ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate) in the Calvin cycle, not the photolysis of water.

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