B2 - Photosynthesis Flashcards
What is the word equation for photosynthesis?
carbon dioxide + water -> glucose + oxygen
Describe the process of photosynthesis.
Photosynthesis is the process where plants take in carbon dioxide and water to produce glucose and oxygen.
How are plants adapted to maximise photosynthesis?
- often have thin leaves
- lots of stomata to get carbon dioxide
- top layer of the plant is transparent so light energy can get into the inner leaf.
What factors limit photosynthesis?
Amount of light
Temperature
Amount of carbon dioxide
How can photosynthesis be artificially controlled in a greenhouse?
WATER - sprinklers can provide a constant supply of water to the plant.
LIGHT - artificial lighting can be used to allow photosynthesis to happen 24 hours a day. Ideally this would be red or blue wavelength light (although this is expensive).
CARBON DIOXIDE - Pumping in waste carbon dioxide from factories or burning fossil fuels in the greenhouse to provide a plentiful supply of carbon dioxide.
TEMPERATURE - reflective foil to insulate the room, fossil fuel burners (also for carbon dioxide), air conditioning and blinds to cool the room down on a hot summers day so the enzymes do not become denatured.
Can glucose be stored in a plant or not? Why?
Glucose cannot be stored in that form because it is SOLUBLE so it would upset the water balance of the plant.
What happens to the glucose? (4 ways)
Lots of it is used up immediately by the plant for aerobic respiration.
Some of it is converted into starch. The starch is INSOLUBLE so it can be stored in the form of tubers such as potatoes.
It can be converted into SUCROSE. Sucrose is very sweet and forms fruit or nectar.
Glucose can be turned into fats/oils (eg. olive oil)
What do plants use nitrate ions for?
The production of amino acids which can then be used by the plant for growth and repair.
How can amino acids be stored?
In the form of pulses such as beans or lentils or converted to enzymes.
