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Biology > Photosynthesis > Flashcards

Photosynthesis Flashcards

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1
Q

What is the process through which plants make their own food?

A

Photosynthesis

Photosynthesis involves using carbon dioxide from the air and water from the soil to produce carbohydrates.

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2
Q

What are the reactants and products of photosynthesis?

A

Reactants: Carbon Dioxide + Water
Products: Glucose + Oxygen

The chemical equation is: 6CO2 + 6H2O → C6H12O6 + 6O2.

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3
Q

What energy source do plants use during photosynthesis?

A

Light

Plants convert light energy into chemical energy during photosynthesis.

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4
Q

What does a plant do with glucose produced during photosynthesis?

A

Converts it into starch for storage

Starch can be tested for using iodine.

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5
Q

What is the test for the presence of starch in leaves?

A

Use iodine solution

If starch is present, the leaf turns black; if not, it stays orangey brown.

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6
Q

What is the first step in testing a green leaf for starch?

A

Place a leaf in boiling water to soften it

This helps to prepare the leaf for further testing.

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7
Q

What is the purpose of using ethanol in the starch test?

A

To decolorize the leaf

Ethanol is flammable, so ensure the flame is off before using it.

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8
Q

What does it indicate if only parts of a variegated leaf turn black when tested for starch?

A

Chlorophyll is needed for photosynthesis

Only green areas show starch presence, confirming the role of chlorophyll.

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9
Q

What experiment can be conducted to test if light is necessary for photosynthesis?

A

Cover part of a geranium leaf with black paper

After exposure to light, only the uncovered part will turn black when tested for starch.

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10
Q

Fill in the blank: Photosynthesis converts light energy into _______.

A

Chemical energy

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11
Q

True or False: Starch is produced in all parts of the leaf during photosynthesis.

A

False

Starch is only produced in areas where chlorophyll is present.

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12
Q

What is the purpose of destarching a plant?

A

To ensure that no starch is present before testing for photosynthesis

Destarching is typically done by keeping the plant in a dark room for a period of time.

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13
Q

What is the function of potassium hydroxide in the photosynthesis experiment?

A

To absorb CO₂, preventing the leaf from accessing it

This demonstrates that CO₂ is necessary for photosynthesis.

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14
Q

What color change indicates the presence of starch in a leaf?

A

Bluey-black

This color change occurs when iodine is applied to the leaf.

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15
Q

What experimental setup is used to collect oxygen produced by a water plant?

A

An inverted funnel and an inverted tube or gas syringe

This setup captures oxygen bubbles released by the plant.

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16
Q

How can you confirm the gas collected from a water plant is oxygen?

A

By inserting a glowing splint into the gas; if it relights, it is oxygen

This is a classic test for the presence of oxygen.

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17
Q

What is the first step in investigating how light intensity affects photosynthesis in Elodea?

A

Place Elodea in a beaker of water

This sets up the environment for the experiment.

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18
Q

What are the three main limiting factors of photosynthesis?

A
  • Light intensity
  • Carbon dioxide concentration
  • Temperature

Each of these factors can limit the rate of photosynthesis if they are in short supply.

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19
Q

What happens to the rate of photosynthesis as light intensity increases?

A

It increases up to a certain point where it plateaus

After reaching the plateau, either CO₂ or temperature becomes the limiting factor.

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20
Q

What is the definition of a limiting factor in the context of photosynthesis?

A

The component of a reaction that is in the shortest supply and limits the rate of reaction

This concept is crucial for understanding how various factors affect photosynthesis.

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21
Q

Fill in the blank: A limiting factor is the component of a reaction that is in the _______.

A

shortest supply

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22
Q

What occurs to the rate of photosynthesis when carbon dioxide concentration increases?

A

It increases to a point

This increase continues until another factor becomes limiting.

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23
Q

Why is light intensity, CO2 concentration and temperature the limiting factors?

A

Light intensity - chlorophyll uses light energy during photosynthesis.

Carbon dioxide concentration- one of the raw materials needed for photosynthesis.

Temperature - An enzyme driven ration needed to find the optimum pH.

24
Q

What must be increased to increase the rate of photosynthesis?

A

Either light intensity or temperature

Photosynthesis is affected by environmental factors such as light and temperature.

25
Q

How does temperature affect the rate of photosynthesis?

A

Increases the rate until enzymes denature above 45 degrees

Enzymes are crucial for photosynthesis and their denaturation leads to decreased rates.

26
Q

What happens to enzymes at temperatures above 45 degrees?

A

They denature

Denaturation changes the shape of the enzyme, affecting its function.

27
Q

What is often the limiting factor in photosynthesis?

A

Temperature

Temperature can restrict the rate of photosynthesis if it becomes too high.

28
Q

What is one adaptation of a leaf that maximizes light exposure?

A

Large surface area

A larger surface area allows leaves to capture more sunlight for photosynthesis.

29
Q

Where are chloroplasts mainly found in a leaf?

A

In the palisade cells

Palisade cells are located just below the upper epidermis and are optimal for photosynthesis.

30
Q

What types of transport systems do leaves have?

A

Xylem and phloem

Xylem transports water, while phloem transports nutrients and organic products.

31
Q

Why do leaves not have chloroplasts in the epidermis?

A

To allow sunlight to penetrate to the mesophyll layer

This adaptation facilitates efficient photosynthesis in the inner leaf layers.

32
Q

What is the function of air spaces in spongy mesophyll?

A

To allow gas exchange

Air spaces facilitate the diffusion of carbon dioxide and oxygen.

33
Q

What is the role of stomata in leaves?

A

To allow carbon dioxide and oxygen to diffuse in and out

Stomata are essential for efficient gas exchange during photosynthesis.

34
Q

How do leaves support themselves?

A

Supported by the stem

The stem provides structural support to maximize light exposure.

35
Q

What are Palisade cells arranged like?

A

End on / vertical

36
Q

What feature of leaves helps to reduce water loss by evaporation?

A

Waxy cuticle

37
Q

What is the main purpose of having thin leaves in plants?

A

To keep as few cells and cell walls as possible between sunlight and chloroplasts

38
Q

What is the most common pigment used in photosynthesis?

A

Chlorophyll

39
Q

What color of light does chlorophyll reflect?

A

Green

40
Q

What are stomata?

A

Holes in leaves which allow gaseous exchange

41
Q

What surrounds the stomata?

A

A pair of guard cells

42
Q

What happens to the guard cells when the plant is short of water?

A

They close the stoma

43
Q

What role do magnesium ions play in plants?

A

For making chlorophyll

44
Q

What happens to leaves of a plant with magnesium deficiency?

A

Leaves turn yellow

45
Q

What do nitrates help to make in plants?

A

Amino acids and proteins

46
Q

What is the consequence of insufficient nitrates in plants?

A

Limited growth and older leaves turn yellow

47
Q

What do phosphates contain that is essential for plants?

A

Phosphorus

48
Q

What are the effects of a phosphate deficiency in plants?

A

Poor root growth and older leaves turn purple

49
Q

What is the role of potassium in plants?

A

Helps the enzymes needed for photosynthesis and respiration

50
Q

What are the consequences of potassium deficiency?

A

Poor flower and fruit growth and leaves turning yellow/discoloring

51
Q

List the uses of glucose in plants

A
  • Respiration
  • Sucrose for transport
  • Starch for storage
  • Cellulose for cell walls
  • Conversion into lipids + amino acids
  • Chlorophyll
  • Proteins and DNA
52
Q

What is starch?

A

A molecule made from glucose that is used for storage.

53
Q

Why is starch considered more useful than glucose for storage?

A

Because it takes up less space and is more compact.

54
Q

What is one property of starch that prevents it from affecting osmotic concentration in a cell?

A

Starch is insoluble.

55
Q

Why is starch considered unreactive?

A

It does not readily participate in chemical reactions.

56
Q

True or False: Starch can diffuse out of a cell.

A

False.

57
Q

Fill in the blank: Starch is too _______ to diffuse out of the cell.

A

big

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