B4- Bioenergetics Flashcards
What is photosynthesis?
A process in plants which uses solar energy to react carbon dioxide and water to form glucose and oxygen.
Where does photosynthesis take place, and how do plants take in energy for it?
In chloroplasts in green plant cells. Chloroplasts contain pigments (like chlorophyll) that absorb light. Energy is transferred to the chloroplasts by light.
Energy is transferred to plants, from the environment, in what form?
Light / solar energy.
What type of reaction is photosynthesis?
Endothermic (energy is transferred to plants, from the environment).
What is the word and symbol equation for photosynthesis?
Carbon dioxide + water →light→ glucose + oxygen
6CO2 + 6H2O →light→ C6H12O6 + 6O2
In what 5 main way do plants use glucose?
- Respiration (to generate energy that allows the plant to convert the rest of the glucose to the below substances)
- Making cellulose (for cell walls)
- Making amino acids (to make proteins)
- Converted to lipids (oils or fats) for storing in seeds
- Stored as starch (for a source of energy in the winter etc)
What is glucose combined with to make amino acids, and what is it then turned into?
Combined with nitrate ions, which are absorbed from the soil.
The amino acids are then made into proteins.
Where do plants store lipids?
In seeds.
What is cellulose used for in plants?
Making strong cell walls.
Where is starch stored in plants?
Roots, stems and leaves.
Why do plants store starch?
It is a source of stored energy ready for when photosynthesis isn’t happening, like in winter.
Why do plants store energy as starch, rather than glucose?
Starch is insoluble, which is better for storing; a cell with lots of (soluble) glucose in it would draw in lots of water and swell up.
What are the 3 main limiting factors of photosynthesis? Name one other potential factor.
- Light
- CO2 concentration
- Temperature
Chlorophyll can also be a factor.
How could chlorophyll be a limiting factor of photosynthesis?
The amount of chlorophyll in a plant can be inhibited by disease, or a lack of nutrients.
These things can damage chloroplasts themselves, or cause leaves to drop off - both scenarios limiting the amount of chlorophyll produced.
The rate of photosynthesis is therefore reduced, as the plant can’t absorb as much light.
Why is temperature a limiting factor of photosynthesis?
- If the temperature is low, the enzymes needed for photosynthesis work more slowly.
- If the plant gets too hot (around 45°C), the enzymes become damaged. Other reactions can also be affected.
Describe how you would investigate the effect of light intensity on the rate of photosynthesis.
1) Place a boiling tube a specific distance away from an LED light source (doesn’t release much heat).
2) Fill the tube with water or sodium hydrogencarbonate solution (releases CO2) and place a piece of pondweed in it.
3) Connect the boiling tube, using a bung, to a waterfilled capillary tube and syringe.
4) Use the syringe to draw the oxygen bubble in the tube alongside a ruler and measure its length.
5) Controls = temperature and time given to photosynthesise.
6) Do several readings to get a mean.
7) Repeat with varying distances between the tube and light source.
8) Use the inverse square law to calculate the change in light intensity for each experiment.