photosyntheses Flashcards
What is photosynthesis?
is the process during which organisms, which contain chlorophyll, produce glucose, which then contains chemical potential energy. During the process carbon dioxide and water are used (raw materials) and carbohydrates and oxygen are released
What is required for photosynthesis?
carbon dioxide water sunlight chlorophyll enzymes correct temperature
What is the process of photosynthesis
During photosynthesis, light energy is converted to the chemical potential energy that is stored as energy. This chemical potential energy can be seen in the form of starch.
Why is sunlight needed for photosynthesis
Sunlight consist of waves containing photons. Photons are small energy packs. Green plants use visible light for energy. The chlorophyll in the chloroplasts of the plant cells is able to absorb light energy
Why is chlorophyll needed for photosynthesis
Chlorophyll is the leaves and stems and is necessary for photosynthesis. There are different types of chlorophyll that differ slightly from each other, namely chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b
What is Chlorophyll A and what colour is it?
is very common and has a blue-green color
What is chlorophyll B and what colour is it?
is a yellow-green color
What is photosynthesis two phases
The light-dependent phase and the light-independent phase/ dark phase
What is the light-dependent phase?
takes place in the thylakoid membranes of the chloroplasts and cannot take place if there is no light. It is the phase where energy is captured and this energy is used to split water and oxygen is released
What is the light-independent phase?
is the phase where the synthesis of organic compounds takes place. Carbon dioxide is used to manufacture the organic compounds as well as the hydrogen and energy fon the ATP (Adenosine- triphosphate) formed in the light-dependent phase
What is the importance of photosynthesis
Oxygen is formed for cellular respiration in animals and plants
Organic nutrients are produced
Radiant energy is converted into chemical potential energy
Petrol and coal consists of energy that comes from photosynthesis and it is important for the economy
Carbon dioxide is taken from the atmosphere which maintains the level of carbon dioxide
What are the factors that influence photosynthesis?
Light intensity: the rate of photosynthesis increases as the light intensity increases until an optimum is reached when it will remain constant until the light intensity decreases
Temperature: the rate of photosynthesis increases with increased temperature until an optimum temperature is reached. Photosynthesis involves enzymes that will denature at high temperatures
Water: Very little water is used during photosynthesis therefore water is very seldom a limiting factor. When plants wilt (the protoplasm is dehydrated) The rate of photosynthesis decreases, but only because the stomata close and CO2 cannot enter the leaf
Carbon dioxide: Carbon dioxide regularly acts as a limiting factor
Chlorophyll: without chlorophyll, photosynthesis cannot take place. The amount of chlorophyll in a leaf determines the amount of photosynthesis that will take place
Enzymes: All chemicals reactions are catalyzed by enzymes
The function of carbon dioxide in photosynthesis
diffuses through the stomata and the intercellular air spaces of the mesophyll tissue to the chloroplasts in the cells
The function of Water in photosynthesis
is taken up by the root hairs and is transported to the mesophyll tissue by the xylem
The function of Chlorophyll in photosynthesis
plays the main role in photosynthesis
