B5 Plant Nutrition Flashcards
What is photosynthesis?
The process by which plants use sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide to create oxygen and energy in the form of sugar
Where does photosynthesis take place?
Chloroplasts in the plant leaves
What is the word equation?
carbon dioxide + water –light/chlorophyll–> glucose + oxygen
What is the balanced chemical equation?
6CO2 + 6H20 –light/chlorophyll–> C6H12O6 + 6O2
What is chlorophyll?
chlorophyll is a pigment that absorbs light energy
What is the function of chlorophyll?
Transfer light energy into chemical energy in molecules, for the synthesis of carbohydrates
What are 4 uses of glucose made from photosynthesis?
- produce cellulose which strengthens plants’ walls
- to be converted into soluble starch for storage
- to be converted into proteins for protein synthesis
- to produce fat and oil for energy store
What are the limiting factors affecting the rate of photosynthesis?
Carbon Dioxide, light, chlorophyll, temperature
What does ‘limiting’ mean?
If you reduce or remove any of the factors the reaction will slow down or even stop but until a certain point where one factor won’t be the limiting one.
What is the effect of light intensity?
The higher the light intensity the faster photosynthesis will occur
What is the effect of temperature?
The higher the temperature the more collisions (more photosynthesis) but at until a certain point because extremely high temperatures the enzymes will denature.
What is the effect of carbon dioxide levels?
The more carbon dioxide the faster the rate
What is the effect of the amount of chlorophyll?
More chlorophyll absorbs more light, increasing the rate.
What is the optimum temperature for photosynthesis?
Around 25°C
Which structures of a leaf are significant for photosynthesis?
Palisade mesophyll and chloroplasts
