Plant nutrition Flashcards
Leaf adaptations for photosynthesis
1) broad & flat ; larger SA to absorb more sunlight & CO2
2) palisade mesophyll cells contain many chloroplasts ; chlorophyll ; efficient to absorb light
3) spongy mesophyll cells surrounded by many air spaces ; rapid diffusion of gases
4) very thin ; light & CO2 can penetrate easier to reach all mesophyll cells
5) numerous stomata allowing exchange of gases
6) network of veins containing xylem to bring water to the mesophyll cells & phloem to carry away food produce
Fate of glucose formed during photosynthesis
- used during respiration to produce energy
- converted into sucrose ; transported along phloem to growing regions & storage organs
- converted into starch ; stored in plant
- converted into cellulose ; new cell walls
- converted into fats & oils ; constituents of cell membrane & storage substance inside seeds
- combine with nitrate ions ; converted into amino acids ; used to make proteins
Importance of photosynthesis
- all forms of life depend on the chemical energy found in food produced
- animals, consumers depend directly / indirectly on plants, producers for their food supply
- oxygen produced used for respiration in most organisms
- important role in carbon cycle ; regulating CO2 concentration in atmosphere
Limiting factors of photosynthesis
- light intensity
- temperature
- CO2 concentration
Importance of nitrogen containing ions
combine with carbohydrates to form :
- chlorophyll
- amino acids
- proteins
- nucleic acids
-> allows healthy growth
Deficiency of lack of nitrogen containing ions
poor, stunted growth ;
chlorosis ( small yellow leaves )
Importance of magnesium ions
required to make chlorophyll ; part of structure of chlorophyll molecules
Deficiency of lack of magnesium ions
small yellow leaves & overall growth reduction