Nutrition Flashcards
photosynthesis
the process by which plants manufacture carbohydrates from raw materials using energy from light
describe what happens during photosynthesis
-energy from sunlight is absorbed by chlorophyll inside chloroplasts
-green plants use this energy to make carbohydrates glucose from the raw materials CO2 and water
-oxygen is released as a waste product
autotrophs meaning
organisms that can make complex molecules from simple molecules
what are producers
organisms that are able to make their own food and so are the first organism at the start of all food chain
how do plants use glucose they make as a source of energy
-produce starch for storage
-synthesise lipids for an energy source in seeds
-form cellulose to make cell walls
-produce amino acids when combined with nitrogen and other mineral ions absorbed by roots
word equation of photosynthesis
CO2 + water ->(light) glucose + oxygen
chemical equation of photosynthesis
6CO2 + 6H2O → C6H12O6 + 6O2
limiting factor meaning
something present in the environment in such short supply that it restricts life processes
3 main factors affecting the rate of photosynthesis
-temperature
-light intensity
-carbon dioxide concentration
(also number of chloroplasts)
why is water not considered a limiting factor for photosynthesis
the amount needed is small compared to amount transpired from a plant so rarely is there not enough water for photosynthesis
how is temperature a limiting factor for photosynthesis
-surrounding temp affects how much kinetic energy all particles have so temp affects the speed at which carbon dioxide and water move through a plant
-higher temperature = higher KE, resulting in more successful collisions over a period of time. Also higher KE increases the likelihood of collisions between reactants and enzymes resulting in the formation of products
-eventually enzymes denature, reducing the rate of photosynthesis
describe the graph of temp against rate of photosynthesis
-increases until optimum temp, where is quickly decreases
how is light intensity a limiting factor
-it affects the amount of energy plants have so photosynthesis happens at a slower rate
-more light = faster rate of photosynthesis
describe the graph of photosynthesis against light intensity
straight diagonal line proportional, until light intensity is no longer the limiting factor and the line becomes flat
how is carbon dioxide concentration a limiting factor
-CO2 is a raw material required for photosynthesis
-more CO2 = faster rate of photosynthesis
describe the graph of carbon dioxide concentration against photosynthesis
straight diagonal line proportional, until CO2 concentration is no longer the limiting factor and the line becomes flat
how is chlorophyll a limiting factor for the rate of photosynthesis
-chloroplasts absorb light energy, so more light energy can be used in the reaction when more chlorophyll are present
-more chlorophyll = faster rate of photosynthesis
what affects the number of chlorophyll in a plant
- diseases (tobacco mosaic virus)
- lack of nutrients (magnesium)
- loss of leaves
4, genetic factors such as variegated leaves
features of wax cuticle
protective layer on top of the leaf that prevents water from evaporating
features of upper epidermis
thin and transparent to allow light to enter palisade mesophyll layer underneath it, (protects leaf and prevents some water from evaporating)
features of palisade mesophyll
-column-shaped cells tightly packed with chloroplasts to absorb more light, maximising photosynthesis
features of spongy mesophyll
contains internal air spaces that increase the surface area to volume ratio for the diffusion of gases (mainly CO2)
lower epidermis features
-contains guard cells and stomata
guard cell
absorbs and loses water via osmosis to open and close the stomata to allow carbon dioxide to diffuse in and for oxygen to diffuse out
stomata
-where gas exchange take place, opens during the day and closes during the night
-evaporation of water takes place as well
-in most plants there is a greater concentration on the underside on the leaf to reduce water loss, as it is not exposed to the sun
vascular bundle
contains xylem and phloem to transport substances to and from the leaf
xylem
-transports water into the leaf for mesophyll cells to use in photosynthesis and for transpiration from stomata
-on the inside of the stem
phloem
transports sucrose and amino acids around the plant
adaptations of the plant
-leaves have large surface area to increase diffusion area and for absorption of light
-leaves are thin to allow CO2 to diffuse to palisade mesophyll cells quickly
-epidermis is thin and transparent, allowing more light to reach the palisade cell
-spongy layer contains air spaces that allow carbon dioxide to diffuse through the leaf, increasing the surface area it has so more gas exchange
-stomata in the leaf allow CO2 to diffuse into the lead and oxygen to diffuse out
-vascular bundles have think cell walls, which help to support the stem and leaf
-the thin wax cuticle protects the leaf without blocking sunlight since
-chlorophyll in the leaf absorbs light energy so that photosynthesis can take place
-network of veins in the leaves allows the transport of water to cells in leaves for photosynthesis and carbohydrates from the leaf
how do plants obtain elements required such as magnesium
absorb elements in the form of mineral ions from the soil by root hair cells using active transport
what mineral ions (elements do plants need)
nitrates
phosphates
potassium
magnesium
use of nitrates in plants
making amino acids to make proteins
nitrate deficiency symptoms
stunted growth of plants, older leaves turn yellow
use of phosphates in plants
making DNA, part of cell membrane
phosphate deficiency in plants
-poor root growth and younger leaves turn purple
use of potassium in plants
for enzymes of respiration and photosynthesis
potassium deficiency plants
leaves turn yellow with dead spots
use for magnesium in plants
needed to make chlorophyll