Chapter 6 - Plant nutrition

Question 1

What is photosynthesis?

Answer 1

Photosynthesis is the process by which plants synthesize carbohydrates from raw materials using energy and light.

Question 2

What is the word equation for photosynthesis?

Answer 2

Carbon dioxide + water -> glucose + oxygen. Is the word equation for photosynthesis. It happens in the presence of light and chlorophyll. Carbon dioxide diffuses into the lead through the stomata. Water is taken up by the roots and transported through the xylem to the leaves. Glucose is used to make substances needed by the plant and is used in respiration to release energy. Oxygen diffuses out of the lead through the stomata and is used in respiration.

Question 3

What is the balanced chemical equation for photosynthesis?

Answer 3

6CO2 + 6H2O -> C6H12O6 + 6O2. Is the balanced chemical equation.

Question 4

What is chlorophyll?

Answer 4

Chlorophyll is a green pigment that is found in the chloroplasts. It transfers energy from light into energy in chemicals, for the synthesis of carbohydrates.

Question 5

What can the carbohydrates produced from photosynthesis be used for?

Answer 5

The carbohydrates produced during photosynthesis can be used to convert into starch molecules which acts as an energy store, convert into cellulose to build cell walls, glucose can be used in respiration to provide energy, converted into sucrose for transport in the phloem and as nectar to attract insects for pollination.

Question 6

How do magnesium ions benefit plants?

Answer 6

Magnesium ions are needed to make chlorophyll. A deficiency in magnesium will cause yellowing between the veins of leaves.

Question 7

How do nitrate ions benefit plants?

Answer 7

Nitrate ions are a source of nitrogen and are needed to make amino acids which builds proteins. A deficiency in nitrate ions will cause stunted growth and yellowing of leaves.

Question 8

What characteristics of leaves benefit diffusion?

Answer 8

Most leaves have a large surface area which increases the surface area for diffusion of carbon dioxide and absorption of light for photosynthesis and are thin which allows carbon dioxide to diffuse to palisade mesophyll cells quickly.

Question 9

What is the structure of leaves?

Answer 9

Question 10

What is the waxy cuticle?

Answer 10

Protective layer on top of the leaf, prevents water from evaporating.

Question 11

What is the upper epidermis?

Answer 11

Thin and transparent to allow light to enter palisade mesophyll layer underneath it.

Question 12

What is the palisade mesophyll?

Answer 12

Column shaped cells tightly packed with chloroplasts to absorb more light, maximising photosynthesis.

Question 13

What is the spongy mesophyll?

Answer 13

Contains internal air spaces that increases the surface area to volume ration for the diffusion of gases (mainly carbon dioxide).

Question 14

What is the lower epidermis?

Answer 14

Contains guard cells and stomata.

Question 15

What is the guard cell?

Answer 15

Absorbs and loses water to open and close the stomata to allow carbon dioxide to diffuse in and oxygen to diffuse out.

Question 16

What is the stomata?

Answer 16

Where gas exchange takes place; open during the day, closes during the night. Evaporation of water also takes place from here. In most plants, found in much greater concentration on the underside of the leaf to reduce water loss.

Question 17

What is the vascular bundle?

Answer 17

Contains xylem and phloem to transport substances to and from the leaf.

Question 18

What is the xylem?

Answer 18

Transports water into the lead for mesophyll cells to use in photosynthesis and for transpiration from stomata.

Question 19

What is the phloem?

Answer 19

Transports sucrose and amino acids around the plant.

Question 20

How is the large surface area of leaves adapted for photosynthesis?

Answer 20

Increases surface area for the diffusion of carbon dioxide and the absorption of light for photosynthesis.

Question 21

How is thin leaves adapted for photosynthesis?

Answer 21

Allows carbon dioxide to diffuse to palisade mesophyll cells quickly.

Question 22

How is chlorophyll adapted for photosynthesis?

Answer 22

Absorbs light energy so that photosynthesis can take place.

Question 23

How is the network of veins adapted for photosynthesis?

Answer 23

Allows the transport of water to the cells of the leaf and carbohydrates from the leaf for photosynthesis (water for photosynthesis and carbohydrates as a product for photosynthesis).

Question 24

How is the stomata adapted for photosynthesis?

Answer 24

Allows carbon dioxide to diffuse into the leaf and oxygen to diffuse out.

Question 25

How is the transparent and thin epidermis adapted for photosynthesis?

Answer 25

Allows more light to reach the palisade cells.

Question 26

How is the thin waxy cuticle adapted for photosynthesis?

Answer 26

To protect the leaf without blocking sunlight.

Question 27

How is the spongy layer adapted for photosynthesis?

Answer 27

Air spaces allow carbon dioxide to diffuse through the leaf, increasing the surface area.

Question 27

How is the palisade cell layer at the top of the leaf adapted for photosynthesis?

Answer 27

Maximises the absorption of light as it will hit chloroplasts in the cells directly.

Question 28

How is the vascular bundle adapted for photosynthesis?

Answer 28

Thick cell walls of the tissue in the bundles help to support the stem and leaf.