Photosynthesis Flashcards
What is the main photosynthetic structure?
The leaf, specifically the chloroplasts.
Why do leaves have a large surface area?
To collect as much sunlight as possible.
How are leaves arranged in a plant and why?
Minimised overlapping of leaves to avoid the shadowing of one leaf by another.
Why are leaves thin?
So maximum light is absorbed in the first few millimetres of the leaf, and to shorten the diffusion pathway.
Why is the cuticle/epidermis transparent?
To let light through to the photosynthetic mesophyll cells beneath.
Why is there numerous stomata?
For maximum gaseous exchange.
Why is there many spaces in the lower mesophyll layer?
To allow diffusion of carbon dioxide and oxygen.
What is the overall balanced equation for photosynthesis?
6CO(2) + 6H(2)O –light–> C6H12O6 + 6O(2)
