Topic 4- Bioenergetics Flashcards
What type of a reaction is photosynthesis?
Photosynthesis is endothermic- this means energy is transferred from the environment in the process.
What does photosynthesis use?
Photosynthesis uses energy to change carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen.
Where in the plant is energy transferred to for photosynthesis?
Energy is transferred to the chloroplasts from the environment by light.
Give the word equation for photosynthesis.
Carbon dioxide + water ⟶ glucose + oxygen
⟶ (light)
Give the symbol equation for photosynthesis.
6CO₂ + 6H₂O ⟶ C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂
⟶(light)
What are the 5 ways in which plants use glucose?
- For respiration
- Making cellulose
- Making amino acids
- Stored as oils or fats
- Stored as starch
Why is glucose used for respiration in plants?
For respiration- This transfers energy from glucose which enables the plants to convert the rest of the glucose into various other useful substances.
Why is glucose used for making cellulose in plants?
Making cellulose- Glucose is converted into cellulose for making strong plant cell walls.
Why is glucose used for making amino acids in plants?
Making amino acids- Glucose is combined with nitrate ions (absorbed from the soil) to make amino acids, which are then made into protein.
Why is glucose stored as oils or fats in plants?
Stored as oils or fats- Glucose is turned into lipids (fats and oils) for storing in seeds.
Why is glucose stored as starch?
Stored as starch- Glucose is turned into starch and stored in roots, stems and leaves, ready for use when photosynthesis isn’t happening, like in the winter. Starch is insoluble, which makes it much better for storing than glucose- a cell with lots of glucose in would draw in loads of water and swell up.
Give 3 ways in which the rate of photosynthesis would be affected.
- Intensity of light
- Concentration of CO₂
- Temperature
Define the limiting factor.
Limiting factor just means that it’s stopping photosynthesis from happening any faster.
How can one of the 3 factors become a limiting factor?
One of the 3 factors can become a limiting factor due to environmental conditions.
In which environment does light become the limiting factor?
At night the light is the limiting factor.
In which environment does the temperature become the limiting factor?
In winter it’s often temperature.
In which environment does CO₂ become the limiting factor?
If it’s warm enough and bright enough, the amount of CO₂ is usually limiting.
How can chlorophyll be the limiting factor of photosynthesis?
- The amount of chlorophyll in a plant can be affected by disease (e.g. infection with the tobacco mosaic virus).
- Environmental stress, such as lack of nutrients.
These factors can cause chloroplasts to become damaged or to not make enough chlorophyll. This means the rate of photosynthesis is reduced because they can’t absorb as much light.
What is light used for in photosynthesis?
Light provides the energy needed for photosynthesis.
What affect does the increase of light have on the rate of photosynthesis?
As the light level is raised, the rate of photosynthesis increases steadily- but only up to a certain point.
Why does the increase of light only have an affect on the rate of photosynthesis up to a certain point?
Beyond the point, it won’t make any difference- as light intensity increases, the rate will no longer increase. This is because it’ll be either the temperature or the CO₂ level which is now the limiting factor, not light.
How can you change the light intensity on a plant in a lab?
In a lab you can change the light intensity by moving a lamp closer to or further away from your plant.
How do you avoid getting a weird-shaped graph when plotting the rate of photosynthesis against “the distance of lamp from the plant”?
You need to either measure the light intensity at the plant using a light meter or you use maths with your results.
What happens to the rate of photosynthesis when CO₂ increases?
The amount of CO₂ will only increase the rate of photosynthesis up to a point.
What happens to the graph when CO₂ reaches up to the point?
The graph flattens out- as the amount of CO₂ increases the rate no longer increases. This shows that CO₂ is no longer the limiting factor.
What will be the limiting factor if light and CO₂ are in plentiful supply?
The factor limiting photosynthesis must be temperature.