Photosynthesis, Cellular Respiration and Albedo Flashcards
Define photosynthesis
The process by which producers convert solar energy (light), carbon dioxide and water into glucose (energy), oxygen and water by rearranging the molecules.
What is the word equation for photosynthesis?
Solar Energy + Carbon Dioxide + Water (Inputs) —> Glucose + Oxygen + Water (Outputs)
Describe why photosynthesis is important for the survival of all species in an ecosystem.
Photosynthesis is the number one supplier of oxygen, which is essential to all living organisms for respiration (such as humans) and is essential to the carbon cycle due to facilitating various processes.
Define cellular respiration
The opposite of photosynthesis. Instead of creating glucose, cellular respiration breaks down glucose for use in life processes. All organisms need energy and use respiration to create it. Each individual cell has to carry it out in order to live.
What is the word equation for cellular respiration?
Glucose + Oxygen (Inputs) —> Energy (ATP) + Carbon Dioxide + Water (Outputs)
What is ATP energy?
ATP energy can be used for cell activity (eg. muscle contraction).
Describe why cellular respiration is important for the survival of all species in an ecosystem
All organisms respire to release energy (ATP) to fuel their living processes. Excess energy would heat up a cell, damaging enzymes and other proteins, and therefore destroy the cell.
Explain why photosynthesis and cellular respiration are said to work together in a cycle.
Photosynthesis makes glucose, which is used in cellular respiration as one of the inputs for ATP energy. The glucose is then transformed back into carbon dioxide, which is used in photosynthesis.
What is visible light?
The visible colours of the rainbow (ROYGBIV) and has shorter wavelengths than infrared waves, but longer wavelengths than ultraviolet waves.
What is infrared light?
Invisible light with wavelengths longer than red light and is felt as heat.
What is Ultraviolet light?
Invisible light with wavelengths shorter than violet. Exposure to UV light can lead to sunburns, skin cancer or eye damage.
What is the Albedo Effect?
The Albedo Effect is a surface’s ability to absorb or reflect sunlight. Lighter-coloured surfaces reflect more sunlight and the light of most wavelengths, therefore having higher albedo, whilst darker surfaces absorb more solar energy and therefore absorb more of different coloured wavelengths, therefore having lower albedo.
