B8 Photosynthesis Flashcards
Where does photosynthesis occur?
chloroplasts in the leaves of a plant
What is the name of the green pigment in the leaves?
chlorophyll
What type of reaction is photosynthesis?
endothermic
What type of energy is used in photosynthesis?
light energy
Give the word equation for photosynthesis.
carbon dioxide + water -> glucose + oxygen
Give the balanced symbol equation for photosynthesis.
6CO2 + 6H2O -> C6H12O6 + 6O2
Define the term limiting factor.
anything that limits the rate of a reaction when it is in short supply
Give the limiting factors of photosynthesis.
- temperature
- carbon dioxide concentration
- light intensity
- amount of chlorophyll
Describe how light intensity affects the rate of photosynthesis.
increasing light intensity increases the rate of photosynthesis until another factor becomes limiting
Describe how carbon dioxide concentration affects the rate of photosynthesis.
increasing carbon dioxide concentration increases the rate of photosynthesis until another factor becomes limiting
Describe how temperature affects the rate of photosynthesis.
Increasing temperature increases the rate of photosynthesis as the reaction rate increases - at high temperatures enzymes are denatured so the rate of
photosynthesis quickly decreases
Give the equation for the inverse square law for light intensity.
light intensity = 1/distance squared
Why are limiting factors important in the economics of growing plants in greenhouses?
greenhouses need to produce the maximum rate of photosynthesis whilst making profit
How do plants use the glucose produced in photosynthesis?
- respiration
- convert it into insoluble starch for storage
- fat or oil storage in seeds - lipids
- produce cellulose to strengthen cell walls
- produce amino acids for protein synthesis
