Photosynthesis Flashcards
Producer
An organism that produces its own food
Consumers
Eat other organisms to survive (plants or animals)
Photosynthesis
When a plant absorbs light energy and converts it into food (glucose)
Where does photosynthesis take place?
In the leaves where the chloroplast containing chlorophyll converts the light energy into food
Word equation for photosynthesis
carbon dioxide + water —> glucose + oxygen
Symbol equation for photosynthesis
6CO2 + 6H2O —> C6H12O6 + 6O2
When do plants photosynthesize?
Only during the day. They respire aerobically all the time to survive
How does water get into the plant?
Water goes through the roots via diffusion. It is then transported around the plant through xylem tubes. As the water evaporates from the leaves, more water is drawn up from the roots
How do gases get into the plant?
Gases diffuse in and out of the leaf through tiny holes called stoma
How are leaves adapted for photosynthesis?
. Leaves are wide and flat to create a large surface area so they absorb as much light as possible
. Leaves are thin so gases can diffuse in and out of the cells easily
. Leaves have lots of veins to carry water (xylem tubes) to the cells and carry glucose (phloem tubes) away
. Leaves have holes, called stomata, on their underside which gases move in and out through
Cuticle
Protective layer on top of the leaf, clear to allow light through and helps keep water in the leaf
Stoma
Located at the bottom of the leaf and allows CO2, H2O and O2 to diffuse in and out of the leaf
Guard cells
Located at the lower epidermis of the leaf and controls the opening and closing of the stoma
Palisade layer
The second layer of the leaf that has lots of leaf cells containing lots of chloroplasts with cholorophyll for maximizing photosynthesis
Spongy layer
The third layer of the leaf which has a large surface area to volume ratio so diffusion of gases is quicker
