Photosynthesis Flashcards

1
Q

What is photosynthesis?

A

A chemical reaction where plants make their own food

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2
Q

Where does photosynthesis occur in the plant cell?

A

Chloroplasts

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3
Q

What is the word equation for photosynthesis?

A

Water + carbon dioxide –> oxygen + glucose

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4
Q

What is the balanced symbol equation for photosynthesis?

A

6H2O + 6CO2 –> 6O2 + C6H12O6

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5
Q

What three things are needed for photosynthesis?

A
  • Carbon dioxide
  • Water
  • Sunlight
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6
Q

Is photosynthesis endothermic or exothermic?

A

Endothermic

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7
Q

How is light energy absorbed in photosynthesis?

A

By the green pigment chlorophyll found in the chloroplasts (in the leaves)

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8
Q

What is the main photosynthetic organ in plants?

A

Leaves

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9
Q

How do carbon dioxide and water enter the leaves for photosynthesis?

A
  • Carbon dioxide enters the leaves from the air and diffuses through the stomata
  • Water enters the plant through the roots and moves to the leaves through the xylem
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10
Q

Describe five ways that the glucose produced in photosynthesis is used by the plant.

A
  • For respiration
  • To form starch (a storage molecule)
  • To form lipids (used for storage in seeds)
  • To form amino acids (used to make proteins)
  • To form cellulose (used to build cell walls)
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11
Q

What are three things that can be measured to determine the rate of photosynthesis in a plant?

A
  • the rate of oxygen output
  • the rate of carbon dioxide uptake
  • the rate of carbohydrate production
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12
Q

What are three factors that can limit the rate of photosynthesis?

A
  • light intensity
  • carbon dioxide concentration
  • temperature
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13
Q

What is a limiting factor?

A

A factor which, if in short supply, limits or reduces the rate of photosynthesis

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14
Q

Explain why temperature affects the rate of photosynthesis.

A
  • Photosynthesis is controlled by enzymes
  • Low temperatures, fewer collisions between enzymes and substrates
  • Higher temperatures, enzymes become denatured
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15
Q

Chlorophyll is green.

What colours of light does chlorophyll absorb and reflect?

A

Chlorophyll

  • Absorbs red and blue light
  • Reflects green light
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16
Q

What is meant by the compensation point?

A

The rate of photosynthesis is equal to the rate of respiration

17
Q

Required practical - Investigate the effect of light intensity on the rate of photosynthesis.

What is the independent variable?

A

Light intensity / Distance of plant from light source

18
Q

Required practical - Investigate the effect of light intensity on the rate of photosynthesis.

What is the dependent variable?

A

The number of bubbles produced per minute

19
Q

Required practical - Investigate the effect of light intensity on the rate of photosynthesis.

What are the control variables?

A
  • Concentration of sodium hydrogencarbonate solution
  • Temperature
  • Using the same piece of pondweed each time
20
Q

Why does light intensity decrease as distance from the light source increases?

A

As the distance away from a light source increases, photons of light become spread over a wider area

21
Q

What is the inverse square law for light intensity?

A

The light intensity is inversely proportional to the square of the distance from the light source

22
Q

Describe three ways that plant growers can increase light intensity to maximise the rate of photosynthesis.

A
  • Use greenhouses constructed from glass
  • Position plants for maximum light absorption
  • Use artificial light systems with the optimal wavelength for photosynthesis
23
Q

Describe four ways that plant growers can increase carbon dioxide concentrations in a growing area.

A
  • Use paraffin heaters on a small scale
  • Use carbon dioxide wastes from industrial processes that has been cleaned up before use
  • Use liquid carbon dioxide supplied through pipes (but can be expensive)
  • Use fungi in bags, which produce CO2 in respiration
24
Q

Why shouldn’t too much water be used to promote crop growth?

A

High humidity can promote the growth of pathogenic fungi