photosynthesis Flashcards
what is photosynthesis
synthesises large organic compounds from simple inorganic molecules using light energy
what are adaptations of the palisade layer
large numbers of chloroplasts
-large vacuole so chloroplasts don’t shade each other
chloroplasts move depending on light intensity
adaptations/features of of chloroplasts
-large surface area
-doubl;e membrane
contain thylakoid disks in granum stacks connected by lamellae.
-act as transducers- converts one form of energy to another.
-different pigments absorb different phtons of light thereofre having several differnet pigments increases range of wavel;enth absorbtion allowing ore phtosynthesis.
name 3 different types of photosynthetic pigment
-chlorophyll A
-chlorophyll B
- carotenoids (e.g beta carotenoids or xanthophyll)
what is the absorption spectrum
graph showing wavelengths of light at which different photosythetic pigments absorb photons.
what is meant by an action spectrum
graph showing rate of photosynthesis at different wavelengths of light -is measured as the mass of carbohydrate produced.
why do leaves turn yellow in autumn
chlorophyll breaks down allowing the visability of other pigments such as cartenoids
why are algae different colours at different depths
different colours of light penetrate different depths e.g at deep depths algae can absorb blue/green light so have a pigment that mask chlorophyll
where are photosystems found
in the thylakoid membrane
what does each photosystem consist of
an antenna complex
-a reaction centre
describe the process that occurs in the antenna complex
contain photosynthetic pigments chlorophyll and caretenoids embedded in the phospholipds biler of the thylakoid mebrane held together by protein.
describe what occurs during the reaction centre
is found within antenna complex where the two primary pigments of chlorophyll a is found. As chlorophyll absorbs light it emits an electron. This electron passes to a higher energy state before being accepted by an electron acceptor
why is chlrophyll a the most significant molecule in the recation centre?
it passes energy to the subsequent reactions of photosynthesis.
which photosystem has the highest peak absorbance
ps1- 700nm compared to 680 of ps2
what do both photosystems have in common
both ahs a reaction centre and antenna complex contain two chlorophyll a molecules.