Photosynthesis Flashcards
Stated the balanced equation for photosynthesis
6CO2 + 6H2O —>(light, chlorophyll)–> C6H12O6 + 6O2
State the balanced word equation for photosynthesis
in the presence of light and chlorophyll…
carbon dioxide + water → glucose + oxygen,
What is photosynthesis?
Photosynthesis is the process by which plants use sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide to create oxygen and energy (glucose) in the form of sugar.
The process happens inside plant cells, in the chloroplasts. Inside chloroplasts is a green pigment called chlorophyll. Which traps the suns energy (UV) light and uses it to turn h2o and co2 into glucose.
What can the created glucose from photosynthesis do?
ー can be stored
ー can be turned into cellulose to make cell walls
ー can be used in respiration to release energy
ー can be stored in fruit as sucrose
ー turned into proteins (with the addition of NITROGEN), so plants can grow
(SCRPS - stored, cellulose, respiration, protein, sucrose)
Factors affecting the rate of photosynthesis
ー Light intensity
ー Carbon dioxide (CO2)
ー Temperature
How light affects the rate of photosynthesis (and the graph)
the higher the light intensity, the faster the rate of photosynthesis (assuming the other variables of co2 and temp are efficient)
This is represented by a graph, which continues to move upwards until it reaches a point where it PLATEAU.
At this point it wont matter how much more light you give the plant, because the rate is at its maximum.
OR one of the factors (temp or co2) is short in supply.
How carbon dioxide affects the rate of photosynthesis (and the graph)
The higher the carbon dioxide level, the faster the rate of photosynthesis (assuming the other variables of light and temp are efficient)
This is represented by a graph, which continues to move upwards until it reaches a point where it PLATEAU.
Either because the rate is at it’s maximum or one of the factors (i.e light) is short in supply.
How temperature affects the rate of photosynthesis (and the graph)
As the temperature rises, the rate of photosynthesis increases (assuming there is enough co2 and light)
This is represented by a graph, which continues to move upwards until it reaches a point where it DROPS.
This is because the temperature starts to get too high for the enzymes, which naturally start to DENATURE (over 40 degrees Celsius). This slows photosynthesis down.
What is the limiting factor of photosynthesis?
It is the factor that is at the lowest level which limits the rate of the reaction.
What are the other products of photosynthesis?
The first product of photosynthesis is a simple sugar, glucose. Glucose molecules are joined together (POLYMERISED) to produce STARCH which can be stored.
It produces:
- Carbohydrates (eg. Simple sugars and starch)
- Oxygen, which diffuses out of stomata into the atmosphere.
What is the energy source for the reaction of photosynthesis?
(SUN) LIGHT - absorbed by pigment CHLOROPHYLL, which is contained in chloroplasts.
