Photosynthesis Flashcards
What is photosynthesis?
It is a chemical reaction that takes place in the chloroplasts to produce glucose.
What is the equation for photosynthesis?
Carbon Dioxide + Water —> Glucose + Oxygen
What is an easy way to remember the photosynthesis equation?
Respiration equation backwards.
What minerals do plants need for growth?
Even better if you know what they are used for
- Nitrates (For growth)
- Phosphates (For healthy roots)
- Potassium (For healthy leaves and flowers)
- Magnesium (For making chlorophyll
If a plant does not have enough of a mineral, what may it suffer from?
Mineral Deficiency.
What can farmers use to prevent or treat mineral deficiency.
Fertilizers.
What does the waxy layer (cuticle) on a plant prevent and how?
Reduces water loss. This water loss is caused by evaporation and the waxy surface acts like a barrier against evaporation.
How does the stomata prevent water loss from evaporation?
It opens and closes which traps water in.
Name the process that happens in the stomata that is similar to our lungs.
Gas Exchange.
What is the stomata and where is it located on the leaf?
Stomata are tiny little holes that open and close. They are located under the leaf.
What does the Nitrate Mineral help the plant with?
Growth.
What does the phosphate mineral help the plant with?
Healthy Roots.
What does the potassium mineral help the plant with?
Healthy leaves and flowers.
What does the magnesium help the plant with?
They make chlorophyll.
Give an example of a specialized cell in a plant.
Palisade, Root hair cell, Xylem, Phloem
What are palisades jobs and why are they specialized to do this job?
They are the major site of photosynthesis.
- They have a lot of chloroplast, which are full of chlorophyll.
- They are found at the top of the leaf where most sunlight reaches.
What do the chlorophylls do?
Absorb sunlight for photosynthesis.
How are leaves adapted for photosynthesis?
- They have lots of chlorophyll.
- They are thin so they allow gasses to diffuse in and out.
- They have a large surface area to absorb as much sunlight as possible.
- They have veins running through their leaves (xylem and phloem)
What does the xylem do in the plant?
Transports water from the roots to around the plant.
What does the phloem do?
It transports glucose from the leaves to the whole plant.
What do root hair cells do?
They absorb water and mineral from the roots.
What adaptations do plants in the desert have to survive?
- Waxy layer that covers the plants to reduce water from evaporating
- Stems that store water
- Widespread roots that allow the pant to collect water from a large area
- Spines instead of leaves that have smaller surface areas which reduces water loss
What adaptations to plants in the arctic have to survive?
- Grow very close to the ground to avoid wind.
- Have small leaves to reduce water loss.
- Can survive under a layer of snow - the snow acts like a blanket, keeping the plant warm.
The glucose produced during photosynthesis is used by plants to do what?
- Respiration.
- To make starch.
- To make cellulose (for cell walls).
- To make proteins and lipids.
