Photosynthesis Flashcards
How is a leaf adapted for photosynthesis?
Large SA = absorb more light
Thin = light penetrate leaf easily
Permeable = allow CO2 diffusion
Air spaces = allow CO2 diffusion
Transparent cuticle and upper epidermis = light to palisade mesophyll
How are palisade mesophyll cells adapted for photosynthesis?
Elongated - light reach chloroplasts easily
Large number of chloroplasts
Large vacuole - chloroplasts don’t block each other = increased light absorption
What do transducers do?
Convert light to chemical energy (ATP) e.g. chloroplasts
What are the two different parts of a photosystem?
Antenna complex (main bit)
Reaction centre (end of the photosystem)
Where would you find photosystems in a chloroplast?
Thylakoid membrane
How can a lack of nitrogen become a limiting factor to metabolism in plants?
Stunted growth
Hindered cell division
Chlorosis (yellow leaves)
How can a lack of magnesium become a limiting factor to metabolism in plants?
Required for chlorophyll manufacture and activation of ATPase = yellowing if not
What is the compensation point in plants?
Light intensity at which rate of photosynthesis is the same as rate of cellular respiration
When would the compensation point never be reached?
At night as no light meaning photosynthesis cannot occur
What are the limiting factors of photosynthesis?
Light
CO2
Temperature
Enzyme activity
Photosynthetic pigments
What are the photosynthetic pigments in chloroplasts?
Chlorophyll a
Chlorophyll B
Xanophyll
Carotene
What is the Rf formula?
Distance travelled by solute/distance travelled by solvent
What is an absorption spectrum?
The % of light absorbed at different wavelengths
What is an action spectrum?
How different wavelengths effect the absorption of different pigments used in photosynthesis
What are the three processes that take place in photosynthesis?
Light dependent: Cyclic photophosphorylation
Non-cyclic photophosphorylation
Light independent: Calvin cycle
