Paper 1: Topic 4 Bioenergetics - Photosynthesis (LV) Flashcards
State the word equation for photosynthesis
Carbon dioxide + water → glucose + oxygen
remember to write light and chlorophyll above the arrow between the reactants (left hand side) and products (right hand side)
State the chemical symbol equation for photosynthesis
CO2 + H20 → C6H12O6 + O2
You must be able to write this equation in the correct format for the exam
Describe the process of photosynthesis
Green plants and algae use light energy to convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen.
State the raw materials needed for photosynthesis
Explain how the plant obtains both of these raw materials
- Carbon dioxide (obtained from the air when carbon dioxide diffuses into the leaf through the stomata)
- Water (absorbed by the root hair cells and then transported up the plant to the leaves in the xylem by transpiration)
Other than the 2 raw materials what else is needed for photosynthesis to occur
Light
Chlorophyll
Name the waste product of photosynthesis
Oxygen
Define the term endothermic
A chemical reaction that absorbs energy from the environment
In photosynthesis the energy is absorbed from the light and transfered to the chloroplasts
Is photosynthesis an endothermic or exothermic reaction?
Endothermic
State 5 uses of glucose in plants
- For respiration to produce ATP
- Converted to insoluble starch for energy storage
- Converted to cellulose to make new cell walls
- To produce amino acids to produce new proteins for growth and repair of tissues and organs
- To make oils or lipids for energy storage in seeds
What nutrients do plants need to make amino acids?
Glucose (from photosynthesis) and nitrate ions (taken up from the soil by root hair cells)
State 3 reasons why plants store starch
- It is does not affect the water potential of the cell
- It is insoluble
- It stores a lot of energy per molecule
Where do plants store starch?
In their roots, stems and leaves
State 3 factors that affect the rate of photosynthesis
3 from
- Temperature
- Light
- Concentration of carbon dioxide
- Amount of chlorophyll present
State 3 aspects of light that affect the rate of photosynthesis
- Wavelength (not all wavelengths can be used by plants)
- Duration (length of time there is light)
- Intensity (how much light is available)
Define the term ‘limiting factor’
The variable that limits the reaction from occurring any faster
What are the 4 limiting factors that can affect the rate of photosynthesis?
- Temperature
- Light
- Concentration of carbon dioxide
- Quantity of chlorophyll in the leaves
HINT: do NOT say water - this is found in all plants cells and therefore very very rarely a limiting factor
Describe a situation when carbon dioxide may be a limiting factor for photosynthesis
At night when the stomata are closed
This prevent gas exchange occurring in the leaf
Describe a situation when temperature may be a limiting factor for photosynthesis
A cold winter’s day when air temperatures are very low