Photosynthesis Flashcards
Adaptations of leaf
Large surface area = as much sunlight absorbed as possible
Arrangement of leaves = avoids shadowing
Thin = most sunlight absorbed in first micrometres and short diffusion distance for gases
Transparent cuticle and epidermis = let light through to photosynthetic mesophyll cells beneath
Long narrow upper mesophyll cells packed with chloroplast = collect sunlight
Stomata open and close = diff light intensities
Air spaces in lower mesophyll = rapid diffusion
Network of xylem = brings water to leaf cells and phloem carries sugar
Number equation of photosynthesis
6CO2 + 6H2O ->(light)-> C6H12O6 + 6O2
Word equation of photosynthesis
Carbon dioxide + water -> glucose + oxygen
Label chloroplast
Outer membrane and inner membrane
Stroma (outter shell bit)
Thylakoid (one circle)
Granum (stack of thylakoids)
Intergranal lamella (connects thylakoids)
What are the 2 main types of pigment
1) Chlorophylls A and B
2) Carotenoids
What are the 2 stages of photosynthesis
The light-dependent reaction
The light-independent reaction
How is the primary pigment shown
Light enters cartenoids and goes to chlorophyll b then a (these are the antenna complexes) when it reaches the reaction centre
What are the three stages of the light dependent reaction
Photolysis
Photoionisation
Electron transfer chain (chemiosmotic theory)
What happens in photolysis
electrons replace those lost in photoionisation
When light energy hits water molecules they split into H+ (protons), e- and O2
Protons produced pass out of the thylakoid through ATP synthase channels taken up by NADP
What happens in photoionisation
1) Light hits chlorophyll and excites electrons
2) chlorophyll loses electrons and is oxidised
3) electrons leave chlorophyll and are taken up by electron carrier
Describe the process of the electron transfer chain
1) As electrons pass along electron carrier (oxidation-reduction reactions) a transfer chain is formed in thylakoid membranes
2) Electrons lose energy at each stage lowering each carriers energy
3) H+ ions are pumped into the thylakoid from stroma using proton pumps
4) A proton concentration gradient is formed (thylakoid high conc, stroma low)
5) Protons pass through ATP synthase channels, changing enzymes structure catalysing the formation of ATP
Where is chlorophyll found
Thylakoids
Where does the light-dependent stage of photosynthesis take place
In the grana, where thylakoids are stacked up. Thylakoids contain chlorophyll used for the reaction.
Where does the light-independent stage take place
The stroma
Describe the way in which ATP and reduced NADP are produced in the light-dependent reaction of photosynthesis.
Protons pass through ATP synthase from proton pumps
Changing enzymes structure catalysing formation of ATP by addition of ADP + Pi
NADP is the electron carrier, when the electrons leave is becomes reduced during electron transfer chain
Using the information in the passage, describe how the structure of a chloroplast is adapted to its function in photosynthesis. [3 marks]
Membranes shape provides large surface for light absorptio;
(permeable) membrane allows diffusion of gases
Describe the role of water in the light-dependent reaction of photosynthesis
Provides protons / hydrogen ions for reduction of NADP
Describe how plants absorb light energy from the sun and use this energy to produce useful substances in the light-dependent stage of photosynthesis. [5 marks]
Light absorbed by chlorophyll electrons excited
pass down chain of carriers
energy released producing ATP from ADP + Pi
NADPH formed with electrons
photolysis of water
supplies H+ ions to reduce NADP
Describe how the products of the light-dependent stage of photosynthesis are used in the Calvin cycle and how carbohydrate is synthesised as a result of the cycle. [6 marks]
RuBP converted to GP
RuBP binds with carbon dioxide
GP converted TP
reduced NADP provides hydrogen
ATP provides energy
some TP converted to glucose/carbohydrate
some TP used to produce RuBP
ATP supplies phosphate for this reaction
Describe the similarities between photosynthesis and respiration. [6 marks]
Both processes involve:
Transfer of energy
Use and produce ATP
chain of electron carriers
located on membranes
involve cycle of reactions
oxidation and reduction reactions involved
coenzymes
processes are controlled by enzymes
some common intermediates/GALP is common to both;
explain why red seaweeds are usually found in deeper water (further down the shore) than green seaweeds.
Yellow / green OR approx. 500-600mm 1. Penetrates water better;
2. Absorbed by phycoerythrin ;
3. Red seaweeds have phycoerythrin;
4. Red seaweeds photosynthesise in deep water;
Blue AND red OR approx. 460 and 670mm 5. Penetrate water poorly;
6. Absorbed by chlorophyll;
7. Green have only chlorophyll;
8. Green seaweeds can‘t photosynthesise in deep water
9. Red seaweeds have less competition from green in deeper water / converse in shallow water;
What is oxidation
Gain of oxygen
Loss of electrons
Loss of hydrogen atoms
Energy given out
What is an oxidising agent
Compounds that remove electrons or hydrogen atoms
Or add oxygen and is oxidised
What is reduction
Loss of oxygen
Gain of electrons
Gain of hydrogen atoms
Energy produced
What is a reducing agent
Compounds that supply electrons or hydrogen atoms
or remove oxygen and is reduced
What is the chemical reaction that photosynthesis does
Turns light energy into chemical potential energy
And produces ATP which is used to release energy in order to main compounds (like glucose)
What are some advantages of ATP making is useful
Releases small amounts of energy so none is wasted
Small soluble molecule (easy to transport)
Easily broken down (energy easy to release)
Can transfer energy to other molecules
Cannot pass out of cell
Immediate supply of energy
What does the light-dependent stage require
Light
What does the light-dependent stage produce
NADPH and ATP
What is NADPH
Reduced NADP
The process of photoionisation
1) Light hits pigment and it passed through the photosystem to a chlorophyll molecule
2) Chlorophyll A absorbed the light energy and boosts the energy of its electrons
3) This means electrons can get enough energy to leave their atoms leaving a positively charged ion (H+ ion)
4) So chlorophyll A ejects electrons