B5 Plant Nutrition

Question 1

What is photosynthesis?

Answer 1

The process by which plants make carbohydrates using energy from sunlight

Question 2

What is the word equation for photosynthesis?

Answer 2

Carbon dioxide + water (+ light & chlorophyll) -> glucose + oxygen

Question 3

Ext: What is the balanced symbol equation for photosynthesis?

Answer 3

6CO2 + 6H2O -> C6H12O6 + 6O2

Question 4

Ext: What is the function of chlorophyll?

Answer 4

To absorb light energy and convert it into chemical energy.

Question 5

Ext: What is glucose used for by a plant?

Answer 5

Respiration

Question 6

Ext: How is glucose stored in a plant?

Answer 6

As starch

Question 7

Ext: What other types of molecules can glucose be converted into?

Answer 7

Proteins and oils

Question 8

What are the four factors that affect the rate of photosynthesis?

Answer 8

Light, water, CO2 and temperature

Question 9

Ext: How do light, water and carbon dioxide concentration affect rate of photosynthesis?

Answer 9

As light/CO2/water increases, photosynthesis increases. At a certain point, rate of photosynthesis levels off.

Question 10

Name the four layers of a leaf, from top to bottom

Answer 10

Upper epidermis (with cuticle), palisade mesophyll, spongy mesophyll, lower epidermis (with stomata and guard cells).

Question 11

Ext: What is the function of the palisade mesophyll of a leaf?

Answer 11

Photosynthesis

Question 12

Ext: What is the function of the spongy mesophyll of a leaf?

Answer 12

To supply CO2 and H2O to the palisade layer

Question 13

Ext: What is the function of stomata?

Answer 13

To allow gas exchange/CO2 in and O2 out during the day/

Question 14

Ext: What is the function of guard cells?

Answer 14

To control whether the stomata are open or closed.

Question 15

Ext: How are palisade mesophyll cells adapted to their function?

Answer 15

Lots of chloroplasts, large vacuole and cylindrical shape allow them to absorb light and store carbohydrates.

Question 16

Ext: How are spongy mesophyll cells adapted to their function?

Answer 16

Irregular shaped cells have air spaces between them for fluids to diffuse

Question 17

Ext: How are guard cells adapted to their function?

Answer 17

They can change shape to open and close the stomata.

Question 18

What are nitrates used for by plants?

Answer 18

To make proteins

Question 19

What is magnesium used for by plants?

Answer 19

To make chlorophyll

Question 20

Ext: What is the effect of nitrate deficiency on a plant?

Answer 20

It cannot make proteins, so it won’t be able to grow

Question 21

Ext: What is the symptom of nitrate deficiency in a plant?

Answer 21

Poor growth and pale leaves

Question 22

Ext: What is the effect of magnesium deficiency in a plant?

Answer 22

It can’t make chlorophyll so it won’t be able to photosynthesise

Question 23

Ext: What is the symptom of magnesium deficiency in a plant?

Answer 23

Yellow spots on the leaves