Topic 4 - Bioenergetics Flashcards
What is the word equation for Photosynthesis?
carbon dioxide + water —–light——> glucose + oxygen
What is the balanced symbol equation for Photosynthesis?
6Co(2) + 6H(2)O —> C(6)H(12)O(6) + 6O(2)
What kind of reaction is photosynthesis?
An endothermic reaction in which energy is transferred from the environment to the chloroplasts by light.
In what 7 ways are leaves adapted to carry out Photosynthesis?
- The Palisade layer is packed with chloroplasts for photosynthesis.
- The leaf has a transparent upper epidermis to let light through to the palisade lager.
- The leaf has a broad shape to increase Surface area to catch more light.
- The leaf is thin to allow rapid diffusion for gaseous exchange.
- The leaf has air spaces in the spongy layer to allow for gaseous exchange.
- The leaf has lots of stomata to allow for gaseous exchange.
- The leaf has guard cells to control if the Stomata are open or closed.
What factors affect the rate of photosynthesis?
- temperature
- light intensity
- carbon dioxide concentration
- amount of chlorophyll/ chloroplasts
What affect does higher light intensity have on photosynthesis?
The higher the light intensity, the faster the rate of photosynthesis - provided that there is lots of carbon dioxide and the temperature is warm enough.
What affect does higher carbon dioxide concentration have on photosynthesis?
The higher the carbon dioxide level, the faster the rate of photosynthesis - provided there is plenty of light + a suitable temperature.
What affect does higher temperature have on photosynthesis to a certain point? What happens after this certain point?
As temperature rises, the rate of photosynthesis increases - provided there is plenty of carbon dioxide and light.
However, at a certain point the higher temperature causes the enzymes to denature and photosynthesis slows down, before eventually stopping.
What affect does more chloroplasts have on photosynthesis?
The more chloroplasts a plant has, the faster the rate of photosynthesis.
What can the amount of chlorophyll be affected by? (3)
- diseases - e.g. tobacco mosaic virus
- lack of nutrients - magnesium etc.
- loss of leaves - fewer leaves = fewer chloroplasts
Why is water usually not considered a limiting factor of photosynthesis?
If water availability is low, plants close their stomata to stop transpiration, meaning that photosynthesis is limited by carbon dioxide.
Do the limiting factors of photosynthesis interact?
These factors interact and any one of them may be the factor that limits photosynthesis.
What does it mean for a factor to be limiting?
If a factor is limiting, it stops the reaction, in this case photosynthesis, from happening any faster.
As distance increases, light intensity increases. How are these related?
Inversely proportional.
What is the equation for light intensity, and what is it measured in?
light intensity = 1/distance²
- measured in arbitrary units (au)
How have greenhouse economics developed to enhance conditions to gain the maximum rate of photosynthesis while still maintaining profit? (7)
- Shades removed from ceiling to allow maximum light
- Artificial light for winter/darker hours
- Ventilation helps prevent plants getting too hot
- Heater burns paraffin, produces heat and C0(2) as a by product
- Watering system to make sure plants stay well watered
- Keeping plants in greenhouses makes it easier to remove pests and diseases, and add fertilisers
- Greenhouse traps the suns heat so temperature doesn’t limit photosynthesis