Module 2: Photosynthesis Flashcards
Why is photosynthesis important for all organisms?
It allows plants to convert carbon dioxide into organic nutrients for the plant, primary consumers, and secondary consumers. It produces oxygen, used by all living things to survive.
What biochemical process causes plants to take up carbon dioxide?
Photosynthesis.
What biochemical process causes plants to release carbon dioxide?
Respiration.
During the night, would a plant have a net uptake or output of carbon dioxide?
Output.
Describe the relationship between light intensity and carbon dioxide uptake.
As light intensity increases, the uptake of carbon dioxide also increases. After a specific light intensity, carbon dioxide uptake plateaus.
According to ancient Greek ideas, what source of nutrition caused plants to gain mass as they grew?
Mineral nutrients in the soil.
According to Van Helmont, what source of nutrition caused plants to gain mass as they grew?
Water.
Was Van Helmont’s work quantitative or qualitative?
Quantitative.
Outline John Priestly’s study of candles, mint, and mice.
Priestly placed different combinations of mice, candles and mint into an enclosed jar and observed the effects.
Why did the mouse and plant survive together in the bell jar but not on their own?
The mouse excreted carbon dioxide, utilised by the plant in photosynthesis. The plant then excreted oxygen as a byproduct of this, allowing the mouse to live.
What is the main difference between Oxygen-18 and Oxygen-16?
Oxygen-18 has two more neutrons than Oxygen-16, giving it a higher atomic mass.
Why is water the source of oxygen released in plants and not carbon dioxide?
Carbon dioxide labelled with hight levels of Oxygen-18 does not cause the pxygen produced in photosynthesis have high levels of Oxygen-18
What is the difference between Carbon-12 and Carbon-14.
Carbon-14 has two more neutrons than Carbon-12, giving it a higher atomic mass. As a result, Carbon-14 is unstable and radioactive, causing it to release radiation as it decays.
How can Carbon-14 provide evidence of the movement of sugars in the phloem vessels of plants?
Exposure to carbon dioxide containing Carbon-14 causes plants to produce various organic compounds that contain Carbon-14. Autoradiography can detect the radioactive emmissions from these compounds and show that their location is in the phloem.
What technology is used to measure the amount of radiation given off by a plant?
Geiger counter.
