Factors That Affect Photosynthesis

Question 1

Why do researchers investigate factors that affect photosynthesis?

Answer 1

To measure productivity for farming and ecological implications

Question 2

How could photosynthetic effectiveness be measured?

Answer 2

• Leaf colour
• Overall growth
• Is CO2 being used? (gas levels, sugar production, mass)
• Is O2 being given off?

Question 3

Measurements Usually Taken

Answer 3

• Consumption of CO2
  
  • Sugar production (not usually done)
  • Measure dry mass
  • Amount of startch produced

Question 4

What does irradiance mean?

Answer 4

Light intensity

Question 5

Light-Saturation Point

Answer 5

The irradiance level at which the carbon fixation reactions reach a maximum overall rate

Question 6

Light-Compensation Point

Answer 6

• Point on a light-response curve at which the rate of photosynthetic CO2 evolution=CO2 uptake

Question 7

Dark-Compensation Point

Answer 7

• Point at which cell respiration and photosynthesis occur at the same rate

Question 8

light compensation point=

Answer 8

dark compensation point

Question 9

Absorption Spectrum

Answer 9

• Measures the absorption of light
• More accurate then an action spectrum

Question 10

Action Spectrum

Answer 10

• Measures the rate of O2 release in phtosynthesis

Question 11

Engelmann’s Experiment Materials

Answer 11

• Spirogyra
• Bacteria that require oxygen
• Microscope
• Prism

Question 12

What happened in Engelmann’s experiment?

Answer 12

• He added bacteria that need oxygen to a spirogyra
• Then shined a prism through a microscope to create a rainbow

Question 13

Results of Engelmann’s experiment?

Answer 13

• The bacteria we’re attracted to the the violet and red wavelengths
• This is where the most oxygen was being released from photosynthesis