Photosynthesis And Plants Flashcards
In most plants where does the process of photosynthesis take place?
Photosynthesis usually takes place in the leaves.
How is light absorption in the leaf maximised?
🚝 The large surface area
🚝 Leaves are thin to allow sunlight to reach all the cells
🚝 The transparent waxy cutide reduces water loss but doesn’t prevent light entering the leaf
🚝 The presence of chloroplast absorbs light
Describe what is happening in the process of photosynthesis.
In photosynthesis the energy absorbed by the chloroplast is used to split water (H2O) into its component elements of hydrogen and oxygen. The oxygen is released from the chloroplast as always product and the hydrogen combines with the carbon dioxide (CO2) to form glucose (C6H12O2).
How are plants able to use light energy to make their own food?
Plants convert the raw materials of carbon dioxide and water into glucose. The glucose is then converted into starch through the process of photosynthesis.
Write a word equation for photosynthesis.
Carbon dioxide + water
Light
Oxygen + glucose
What happens after the glucose is converted into starch following photosynthesis?
Starch is stored in the leaves but can be converted back to sugar when needed and transported other part of the plant
Explain three ways the products of photosynthesis can be used by a plant.
🚝 Glucose is used for respiration
🚝 Proteins are used for growth
🚝 Glucose is stored as starch for long-term use
What are the factors that affect the rate of photosynthesis?
The rate at which photosynthesis occurs depends on:
🚝 the availability of the raw materials such as carbon outside and water
🚝 the availability of light
🚝 the temperature of the reaction
List ways in which environmental factors can be controlled to maximise crop production.
🚝 Increasing temperature
🚝 Increasing carbon dioxide levels by burning paraffin stoves
🚝 Increasing light intensity by artificial lighting
🚝 Increasing fertiliser application
🚝 Increasing water availability
List the main minerals that plants need in order to function properly and stay healthy.
🚝 Nitrate - a source of nitrogen that can be used to make amino acids. The amino acids are converted into proteins for growth.
🚝 Calcium - this is required to make cellulose, an important component of plant cell walls
🚝 Magnesium - this is required to make chlorophyll
What is the percentage of carbon dioxide and normally air?
0.04%
In commercial tomato production, the plants are kept in large greenhouses. They are given the optimum amount of water and fertiliser. Suggest what other steps growers could take to ensure the maximum crop production.
They could increase the light intensity, the percentage of carbon dioxide and the temperature.
Explain why winter barley does not grow well in January.
Winter barley does not grow well in January because the temperature is too low and there is not enough light.
Where is cellulose found in a plant cell?
The cell wall.
What element has to be added to glucose to synthesise protein?
Nitrogen
